Research on spanking by parents: Implications for public policy
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Family Psychologist: Bulletin of the Division of Family Psychology
Abstract
The focus of this commentary is on whether research can or should be used as a basis for public policy to end use of corporal punishment (CP) by parents. CP is “the use of physical force with the intention of causing the child to experience pain, but not injury, for purposes of correction or control of the child’s behavior.” CP is currently legal in every state of the US and in most other nations. In practice, the difference between corporal punishment and physical abuse hinges on whether the child is injured seriously enough for the case to come to the attention of child protective services, regardless of the intent of the parent. (Author Abstract)
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child abuse, physical abuse, policy
Citation
Straus, M., & Douglas, E. (2008). Research on spanking by parents: Implications for public policy. The Family Psychologist: Bulletin of the Division of Family Psychology, 43(24), 18-20.