Corporal punishment of children: A norm worth challenging

Background: Violence prevention professionals often acknowledge both the importance and the challenge of changing prevalent social norms that promote violence.  Of course, when social norms that bring even minor to moderate risk to large populations are challenged, public health approaches can have a large impact on health.  Corporal punishment of children is such a norm, as it is a strong risk factor for child physical abuse, increased childhood aggression, and has been linked with poorer mental and physical health outcomes.  Most child physical abuse starts out as “normative” child discipline.  And use of corporal punishment teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to respond to conflict. 

Methods: Public health strategies from across the spectrum of prevention that are currently being planned, implemented, or evaluated to reduce the use and acceptance of corporal punishment will be reviewed. 

Results: Strategies from across the spectrum of prevention (policy/legislation, organizational change, fostering coalitions, educating providers, community education, and building individual level knowledge) will be presented. For example, (Policy/Legislation) as of January 2014, 35 nations had implemented universal bans on corporal punishment (i.e., corporal punishment of children is not allowed in any environment, including the home) and, in the U.S., 31 states have bans on corporal punishment in schools.

Conclusions: Given the risks associated with corporal punishment and its high prevalence, reducing use of corporal punishment could lead to a reduction in more injurious forms of violence as well. Challenges to planning and implementing relevant strategies will be discussed.