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New Study: Spanking Causes Mental Illness

July 3, 2012 by  

New Study: Spanking Causes Mental Illness
PHOTOS.COM
New research attributes mental disorders to spanking.

Those who were spanked as children may take a real hit later in life, according to new research. Lead author Tracie Afifi suggests that spanking can cause children to have mood and anxiety disorders and suffer from drug and alcohol abuse. The study appears in Pediatrics.

“There is a significant link between the two,” says Afifi. “Individuals who are physically punished have an increased likelihood of having mental health disorders.” Afifi advises parents that any sort of physical punishment “should not be used on any child, at any age.”

But not everyone in the academic community agrees. Robert Larzelere, a psychologist at Oklahoma State University says, “Certainly, overly severe physical punishment is going to have adverse effects on children. But for younger kids, if spanking is used in the most appropriate way and the child perceives it as being motivated by concern for their behavior and welfare, then I don’t think it has a detrimental effect.”

Larzelere, who published a study in 2005 in defense of spanking, believes the latest study doesn’t actually prove what it claims. “The motivation that the child perceives and when and how and why the parent uses (spanking) makes a big difference. All of that is more important than whether it was used or not.”

Spanking is illegal in 32 countries.

 

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Liberty News, Staff Reports, Traditional Medicine
Bryan Nash

Staff writer Bryan Nash has devoted much of his life to searching for the truth behind the lies that the masses never question. He is currently pursuing a Master's of Divinity and is the author of The Messiah's Misfits, Things Unseen and The Backpack Guide to Surviving the University. He has also been a regular contributor to the magazine Biblical Insights.

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  • http://peresonallibertydigest.. gottaplenty

    Ill’ state this again,,, I would suspect that our supreme court members and congress are victins of spanking ,based on the study.

    • Mike Austin

      Wrong. The liberals probably were not. they have no common sense and no repsect for consequences.

  • http://www.facebook.com/richard.plewa Richard Plewa

    The Bible says spare the rod spoil the child, worked for century’s . Do we need more proof the experts are full of (expletive deleted).

    • 45caliber

      The “experts” are finding the thing they were told to find. That doesnt’ necessarily mean it is true. It is like Mark Twain once said, “There are lies, bad lies, and statistics.”

      These “experts” use statistics. You can prove anything with those. For instance, Texas A&M is reputed to have found that pickles are bad for you. Every person who ate one prior to 1880 has died. This PROVES pickles are bad for you!

      • Meteorlady

        They also found that if you cut four legs off a frog it’s deaf.

  • daniel

    The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Sometimes the straight line from the parents mouth to the child’s ears goes by way of the rear. It is kinder and gentler to use a swat to correct behaviour or to stop an action than it not to. Examples are prison or injury.

  • William

    Actually , the exact opposite is true ! In Proverbs it says , ” Spare the rod , HATE your child .” I know 2 young “men”, different parents , neither was disciplined at all . Both are depressed , suicidel , miserable , will not work , and the parents have mental disorders also ! This mental disorder has gotten worse since the “Discipline will cause the child to have low self esteem” crowd took over ! The Liberal NUT JOBS are causing the mental illness in children by going against nature and nature’s God !

  • LAB

    Discipline is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, HOWEVER, hitting is NOT! I raised a step-daughter from age 4 ~ she’s now 30 and NEVER ONCE HIT HER…she is a major success, has a fantastic job, gets even better offers consistantly, she has her MB and is a warm and compassionate young woman. She also has the same wonderments in life that most her age do and handles herself admirably no matter where she is. I was hit, slapped, beat with a belt and berated most of my life (60 now) and the abuse never ends. I only get it from my parents as THEY are the mentally ill ones, not me. It’s who you choose to be and how you choose to be…the rest is horse hooey!

  • hambone

    kids and puppies need the right discipline.
    If you take a look at the animal world (and we are animals) the mother will let the cub,kit,joey,etc.. know what is right and what isn’t. A mother dog will growl at first, then if that doesn’t work then she will nip the pup to say hey that’s enough of that. The mother doesn’t hurt her offspring. Humans can take a lesson from the other animals in how to discipline the young. I do think that the way things are now if more hurtful to the mind of the young then a good spanking any day.

  • Junk Bin

    liberalism is a mental disorder. part of the cause is being raised to feel entitled and another is that there are no consequences for actions.

  • Jim Dunlap

    So does masterbation and you’ll grow a black hair in the palm of your hand. It’s about the dumbess study I have ever heard. A good butt busting will help straighten out a lot of these unruly kids. That’s my belief and I’m sticking to it…..

  • AK Tom

    I wonder how many of todays “occutards” got spanked as children?

  • SJJolly

    “Individuals who are physically punished have an increased likelihood of having mental health disorders.” Maybe parents who have mental health issues are more likely to spank, and to have kids who have mental health issues regardless of discipline method?

    If physical punishment can create mental health issues, what about out and out physical abuse?

    • http://teamlaw.net/TrusteeMessage.htm Jazzabelle

      SJJolly wrote: “Maybe parents who have mental health issues are more likely to spank, and to have kids who have mental health issues regardless of discipline method?”

      That’s possible. I heard once that 90% of Americans say they were spanked at least once in their childhood, and if you ask prison inmates the same question, guess what? 90% of them were also spanked as children! Makes ya wonder, how would ultra-successful people answer that question??

      SJJolly wrote: “If physical punishment can create mental health issues, what about out and out physical abuse?”

      I am sure that could cause mental health issues. In fact, we know that the most serious forms of abuse cause dissociation, multiple personalities, PTSD, etc. etc. Abuse and discipline are two completely different animals. As the article suggests, a huge part of the equation is how the child interprets the discipline. Is it motivated by love and concern, or is it lashing out in anger or revenge?

  • Nobody’s Fool

    Everyone but Wobby knows the truth of this matter. And poor Wobby will never learn. He is what’s called a liberal. He believes in socialism, where no one gets to keep what they earn (including him, but he doesn’t realize that yet). I have been a school teacher for 30 years and I can first-hand tell you what a difference the lack of discipline has made in schools AND in the ability of children to learn. Every child needs to learn self-discipline, and the purpose of spanking is to introduce to them the idea that what they did to deserve a spanking was not a good choice. Therefore, they will self-discipline next time, and choose something better. In schools, the kids come into kindergarten knowing they cannot be told “no”, and they are already little tyrants. It does not improve with time, and let me tell you, the “fear” of having their name on the board with marks for bad behavior is absolutely no deterrent. As a result, education does not take place in schools anymore. Thus the exponential growth of home schooling, where parents have control of what their children learn and how they learn it.

  • Corsica

    Afifi advises parents that any sort of physical punishment “should not be used on any child, at any age.” Who the fk is this pompous ass to dictate to anybody on how to discipline their children? It’s amazing how these smug nobodies think they are the ultimate authority. I have a friend whose daughter was a nasty little brat but they thought it was just her way of being and even amusing. They never touched her. Today she’s a nasty, rude, foul-mouthed, ill-mannered teenager that causes her parents nothing but grief. Oh and she lies, steals etc etc.

    • Nan E Puckett

      Corsica, had one of those ‘nasty, rude, foul-mouthed, ill-mannered teenagers’ at my house this weekend, along with a spoiled rotten 7-yr. old that took it on herself to invade my upstairs bedroom, leave closet doors open & who knows what else, AFTER I had told her NOT to go up there! The teen’s grandmother was here but did she say one word to this self-absorbed brat? Nope, instead she catered to her every whim. The 7-yr. old played her dad like a fiddle, while the mom simply ignored her. Frankly, I don’t care if they never darken my door again & if they do, I won’t hesitate to let ‘em know that I’m not going to put up with their rude, discourteous & snotty behavior, parents & grandparents notwithstanding–in fact, I’m wondering if our putting up with this stuff, just enables ‘em to keep it up…

      • LAB

        Um, for starters Nan, 7 is NOT a teenager…also, they were in YOUR HOME, YOUR RULES! If that were me, I would have followed the brat and enforced the rule by refusing this unruly snot her way…also, if that did not work, ALL would have had to leave immediately unless one of the idiots had some control over the situation. No return invitation required!~ FTARDS!

    • LAB

      No need to BEAT right and wrong into anyone, a simple explanation and follow through on any and all “threat” of repricussion is all it takes…very easy to learn from denial of something or removal from the situation…beating takes a moment, TEACHING THE LESSON Takes Time!

  • Nan E Puckett

    Ken, I LOVE your remarks! You’ve gotten it right & I’m so glad you gave Wobby a good ‘spanking’! Now in my 60′s, over the years I’ve grown to appreciate more & more my mom & dad’s discipline when we were growing up. They never hesitated to dish it out & I mean either a spanking or as they called it, a switching–either way, the impact was unforgettable & I assure you, the behavior that instituted it, never happened again. I’ve also reflected on the fact that neither of them had one moments anquish over your little psyche & whether it would be harmful in the future–they didn’t succumb to society’s crap about physical discipline–they just went about their lives & raised their FIVE kids to be useful, independent, moral & honest adults—would that parents today would follow the same path—our country & its leadership would be far different, don’tcha think?

  • jopa

    James;And then if you went on to Penn state and Sandusky got hold of your behind you would probably not tell your parents would you.One thing we have always done with our kids was very minimal spanking and a great open line of communication that still goes on today.Not the spanking part.Our kids today would make any parent proud of their accomplishments.All six kids have college degrees and working with families.This is one great country to live that dream and when you figure out it’s not about you but about the kids it will put a smile of success on your face.

    • rutie

      If what you say id true why is it that 90% of the college students have no respect for adults. They are rude, ignorant and just don’t care. They all feel we owe them something.
      who’s fault is that, the parents for not disciplining them and spoiling them. If I wanted something expensive I worked for it. Not these kids give me a 300.00 coach bag, give me 300 ugh’s. Give me a break. God help this country.

    • Ken

      @ jopa;

      It’s great that you used and taught communication skills with your children jopa – I use communication skills with my children as well.

      I’ve found that keeping my word with them works very, very well….for instance, when I say we’re going out for ice cream, we go out for ice cream. When I say “I’m only saying this one time – the next time I have to say it…..well, you get the picture.

      Everyone loves mine – they’re polite, considerate and just great people. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual but using you love along with a little common sense and discipline goes a long way. Letting your kid’s do whatever they want whenever they want?! you looking for a boatload of trouble as they grow older.

      In our wonderful state several months ago, a young boy murdered his mom and dad (stabbed them to death) then stuffed their bodies into a septic system…..I knew people who knew him and the kid was spoiled rotten. It’s our responsibility to teach them and what you put into them is what you get out of them!!!

  • James

    When I was in Junior High School, I used to have a Shop Teacher, who would pair everyone guy up by weight and size and have us arm wrestle, if you lost you got a lick from his paddle. Made us tougher, and no one was more brain damaged then they already naturely was. I know you won’t believe this but we also had a Winter Conditioning Program in High School where they would again size you up and you would box with boxing gloves for a minute round. No one complained or went home crying to Mommy. When I did something wrong and got my arse beat, I was certainly not that stupid to go home and tell my parents about it and then get beat again. Socialists woozies all around us now.

    • Ken

      The feminization of our man-children has been in effect for decades now and you can see

      the result from one of those who posted above.

      You couldn’t imagine what the Russians think of us – they laugh at how pathetic we are on

      a regular basis.

  • arlo

    I was chewing gum in my art class in high school and I got swats, now I swallow my food whole for fear I will get spanked by my wife.

  • http://www.healthywealth.co.za Rose Layard

    Go back to the Book of Life our Holy Bible. God created us and knows what we need to be decent people. Trouble is these days everybody breaks His rules and wonder why our kids are wayward. I got spanked for wrong-doing and I didn’t repeat my naughtiness.Dr Spock was an advocate from hell!

  • Steve E

    The people I know that have not been spanked at some time or another are the ones to have mood and anxiety disorders. Not the ones that have been spanked (not talking about abused)

  • Rebecca

    Whether spanking causes mental illness or not, I do not know. But it deters further misbehavior. Children will run over you if you will let them. Case in point:

    When my daughter was 11 she decided that she would get physical with me and shoved me. When I finished spanking her with a switch she decided that it had been a bad idea. She has never placed her hands on me in anything other than a loving gesture again.

    • Ken

      @ Rebecca;

      I acknowledge you for your commitment to your daughter and for disciplining her when she needed it – now if you would give Wobby a spanking we’d all be better off! Maybe he’d learn some manners and some common sense! ; )

      • Rebecca

        I think he is a lost cause. I choose to ignore.

    • S C Frank Taylor

      My father didn’t do formal spankings for specific misbehavior. If we started arguing and I annoyed him he’d take off his belt and hit me with it anywhere he could reach. One day I hit back with a good kick to his gut. He never hit me again. I guess showing someone who’s bigger and stronger does work.
      I was actually a very well-behaved girl and never got into real trouble. My dad and I simply didn’t get along.

      • Grammy

        You were not spanked. You were abused. Anger is not a valid reason for striking a child. Spanking is a punishment for a misdeed performed by a parent who cares about the direction his child is growing.

      • Ken

        I concur with Grammy S C – you were abused. Discipline is done with a level head and out of necessity and love, not out of anger.

        I’m sorry you experienced such treatment at the hands of someone you were meant to trust and love. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean your father doesn’t love you even though his actions at those moments didn’t speak for his love.

    • Ken

      Ha,ha,hahhahaaha! ; )

  • Ken

    YEAH, AND EATING CANDY-CANES WILL MAKE YOUR HAIR FALL OUT.

    What a load of bu**sh*t!

    Look at these kid’s today that receive no discipline and you’ll see what happens when you

    listen to these so-called studies?!!!!

    One of the worst things to happen was when “Dr. Spock” released his book in the 7O’S

    LITERALLY DESTROYING OUR SOCIETY by removing discipline in the household.

    Those of us with WW2 generation parent’s generally didn’t have that problem as we

    received the discipline they knew to give us. Those of us with enough of what could be

    called “common sense” or the ability to know your own mind, trust yourself to know “right

    from wrong” did what was needed for their children and NOT because it was the easy thing

    to do!

    A great article on the damage Spock and those who foolishly listened to him is listed

    below – he was obviously courted by “them” as an “authority” to incite this wave

    foolishness. Incidentally, before Benjamin Spock died he regretted the state and condition

    of our society – which he admitted he was the cause of.

    Regards,

    Ken

    HOW DR. SPOCK DESTROYED AMERICA

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CG4QFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wnd.com%2F2009%2F01%2F87179%2F&ei=E-3yT6HsDMm42wXl9MXOCw&usg=AFQjCNHUASxpSLCNaA2xkljjW5197GT17A&sig2=m7cLdv96BJ3qAhfUrkOeNg

    • Robert Smith

      Shucks you should get your facts straight: “Benjamin McLane Spock (May 2, 1903 – March 15, 1998) was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Throughout its first 52-years, Baby and Child Care was the second-best-selling book, next to the Bible.[1]”

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Spock

      IOW, it’s MY generation that is now on the threshold of retirement who’s parents got what Spock had to say.

      I’m quite sure the rest of your screed is just as laced with errors.

      Rob

      • Ken

        WOBBY!!

        Ya know Wobby, I was going to post your name as a perfect example – not to be malicious

        mind you, but just as a matter of fact!

        Yeah, it was the best selling book next to the bible and Spock STILL regretted the impact

        of his work MANY YEARS LATER and he ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG! What does that

        tell you jerky?!

        Because Spock admitted he was wrong (even though he made millions in the process!)

        and he admitted he was wrong because he saw the many nimrods his work produced….

        such as yourself!

        Your a beauty Wobby, and a perfect example of what’s wrong with people today….hell, if

        you were my kid I’d kick your @$$! (and probably even if you weren’t!).

      • Ken

        Wobby;

        Here’s an excerpt from the article that explains Spock’s mentality and explains how your behavior;

        “In 1972, Spock’s imbalanced view of child rearing became greatly apparent when he entered the presidential race as the candidate for the socialistic People’s Party. Anyone who embraces socialism is clueless to a key element of proper parenting – personal responsibility.” (Reb Bradley 2012)

  • http://yahoo Paul

    I have four children two males and two females, going boy, girl, boy, girl. Each of them were disaplend all four of them in a manner which would do them the most good.

    The oldest one, male, I never had to spank, But I did tell him what he did and how it effected the rest of the family, He is the smart one, now college grad,

    The second (dow child) would get her hand smacked, She also has graduated High School.

    The other two have received spanking and only one of them did we ever have any trouble out of, the male. They tried to blame me, because he sexually abused a small girl. The youngest graduated junior college is married and has a 9 year daughter.

    I do not beleive that spanking is the cause of the troubles that these kids get into. I beleive it is the LACK OF IT, that is the problem.

    • Robert Smith

      “I have four children two males and two females, going boy, girl, boy, girl.”

      A friend of mine has three adult kids. One of each.

      Rob

      • Opal the Gem

        Another inane useless comment from robert smith.

      • BDK3966

        Wobby – you are the perfect example of a liberal [offensive term removed].
        Don’t you have a GBLT parade to organize or march in instead of being a condesending pain in the ass to everyone whose opinion differs from yours?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003406358476 Elli

      Well since he cheated on his wife with the losbiybt, Then cheated on both his wife and the losbiybt with a second woman Then was STUPID enuf to openly brag about it, Till even the other GOPers in California, stripped him of his leadership positions He was in , no real power left to use to get chicks . in a reich wing repubies mind why stay?

  • Ken

    YEAH, AND EATING CANDY-CANES WILL MAKE YOUR HAIR FALL OUT.

    What a load of bu**sh*t!

    Look at these kid’s today that receive no discipline and you’ll see what happens when you

    listen to these(expletive deleted) studies!!!!

    One of the worst things to happen was when “Dr. Spock” released his book in the 7O’S

    LITERALLY DESTROYING OUR SOCIETY by removing discipline in the household.

    Those of us with WW2 generation parent’s generally didn’t have that problem as we

    received the discipline they knew to give us.

    A great article on the damage Spock and those who foolishly listened to him is listed

    below – he was obviously courted by “them” as an “authority” to incite this wave

    foolishness. Incidentally, before Benjamin Spock died he regretted the state and condition

    of our society – which he admitted he was the cause of.

    Regards,

    Ken

    HOW DR. SPOCK DESTROYED AMERICA

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&ved=0CG4QFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wnd.com%2F2009%2F01%2F87179%2F&ei=E-3yT6HsDMm42wXl9MXOCw&usg=AFQjCNHUASxpSLCNaA2xkljjW5197GT17A&sig2=m7cLdv96BJ3qAhfUrkOeNg

    • J Gordon

      Try growing up with Grandparents who survived the great depression, the paddle was always a threat, never to be tested. Best thing about it, it had holes drilled through it to make it leave marks. I’ve been tempted to make one to use as an intimidation tool with my kids

      • Ken

        HA! Maybe we should make one for some of the nitwit’s who hang out and post here Gordon! ; )

  • oldbill

    I always erred on the side of being wrong about spanking. Both my kids make twice as much as I ever did and neither has been to jail or prison. People who don’t spank and try to reason with their children deserve the results they get.

    • Ken

      @oldbill;

      I concur sir. Congratulations on your great common-sense, loving your children and giving them the loving discipline they needed.

      I’m sure both your children love and appreciate all you have done for them (especially when they look at others their age)!

      Ken

  • Steve

    Yipee! More Psycobabble!

    • Warrior

      Hmmm, looks like an issue to be brought up at the UN!

      • Sirian

        LOL!!! Lord that’s good!!! LOL!!! :)

      • Buster the Anatolian

        I am sure your comment was intended as satire Warrior but lets leave the UN the h&ll out of it.

  • http://networkingchick.wordpress.com Liz N.

    Notice discipline problems have risen from when these “studies” came out?

    • Donald Chambliss

      It takes 30% of your time to tell Johnny no and one second to slap his hand and correct his behavior. This studie must be another government grant. We have more people in prison than any country in the world and this guy is telling me this. I’ll be 66 the fourth of July and it took 3 times with a paddle in school and I was a good boy from then on. Now we have diversity and all the liberal garbage they can think up. And the kids can’t even graduate from school. BS

      • Maryland Freestater

        Donald,

        I went K-12 to the same Catholic school and got spanked in front of my class for a minor infraction. The truly humiliating aspect of this was having to then sit like a dunce in fromnt of the first-grade class. I NEVER misbehaved (or got caught, heeheehee!) the rest of my school tenure.

        I DID have a huge problem with serving in the navy because I couldn’t reconcile my Catholic upbringing with naval philosophy: Sr. Damien punished you to make you a better God-fearing Catholic citizen, whereas the Navy punished you for getting caught.

      • carolinerh

        Gee, I come from a BIG family and none of us suffered these problems but grew up and started businesses. I have graduate degrees and have traveled widely and speak more than one language. Gee, are we the nuts these idiots claim? I think they should have been spanked and disciplined in order to grow normal and sane and not a liberal or Demo. Dr. Spock did more damage than my parents because we were spanked, disciplined and yelled at, just like good parents should do. It prepares you for the real world everywhere!

      • CJ

        After proper punishment, usually a mental state of ‘guilt over a misdead’ is instilled. To liberals, this guilt is mental illness.

      • http://www.facebook.com/ke6ziu Aaron Freeman

        I got my ass whipped when I was bad… I suffer no mental illness, nor do I go out and commit crimes (unless you consider vandalism of liberal propaganda a crime!)! I say to those countries that have outlawed spanking; your kids are the most misbehaved kids on the planet! Obviously, they’ve never read Heinlein!

    • gracie

      Liz, I totally agree with your statement. Just look at how kids are today mainly because they are not disciplined. On top of that, they can no longer bow their heads in silence to pray to their God while at school. Schools are no longer allowed to discipline students because of fear of losing their jobs. It makes me sick to see young boys walking down a street with their pants hanging below their buttocks showing their underwear. These kids will be running our Country. People think it is bad now, wait until these unruly kids are in charge of the Country. No respect for anyone and watch out if you try to correct one of them. Watch out!!!! Spanking will cause mental illness.

      • Ladybug

        I was spanked and hit with the buckle of my father’s belt, very, very often and I was always blamed for what my brothers did; I am now a grandmother and I am fiercely independent, I have a very clear and good working mind, I have taken care of myself and my 2 kids without help, except from a live-in maid whom I paid to take care of my house and kids while I worked a full time job, I am a professional and I have never, ever had a victim’s mentality. I only spanked my kids 2 or 3 times and it had a huge effect on them, no more bad behavior, they are normal, independent persons and have no victim mentality.
        Spanking would do this world a wonder of good! not the belt buckle spanking I received which was uncalled for and unjustified, but a healthy slap on the butt now and then when necessary! it does wonders if not used too often!
        That would end a lot of theft, drug use, promiscuity, prostitution, bullying, etc. etc. and erstore the morals of the country.

      • gracie

        Ladybug, You are so right. Bring back a swat on the butt. Kids learn more from that than “time outs” or trying to talk to them. When my children were little, I would get lots of compliments on how well behaved they were. They got swats on the butt every now and then. It did not damage them, it made them better citizens.

      • David169

        Thank you for a sane response to this insane article. I believe as children we must learn that there are swift and sure unpleasant consequences to breaking the rules. This carries into adult life as swift and sure consequences for breaking the law. The time proven total failure of Dr. Spock’s opinion on child care should have prevented a re-hash of his principles.

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