[lovemylittlemiss]

Found this article interesting:

Spanking is harmful for kids' intelligence: Study | The Money Times

I just don't understand, with all the studies that have come out showing that spanking is harmful, how people can continue to just ignore the facts and continue thinking that spanking is a good form of discipline. I just had a discussion with an acquaintance (a friend of a friend) yesterday about spanking and how she thinks there is a "right way to spank" and that it's an effective discipline tool.

[crunchywannabe]

Not that I think these studies are wrong (I do not agree with spanking personally) But my personal theory is that the majority of Parents with lower IQs (or more mental health problems, or anger/agression issues-whatever the study of the day may say) don't have the skills, or mental capacity to find other forms of disciplining their children, so they use spanking either because they think it's easiest, takes the least amount of thought, or their parent's did it and thats what they know. By relation to their parents these kids are genetically predisposed to having lower IQs and other problems, that researchers are linking to effects of spanking.

While I personally do not believe that spanking is necessary nor the most effective form of discipline.... I think saying it causes PTSD is a stretch, and may only be true in cases of obvious abuse (not an occasional spanking with followed by discussion etc) Living with someone who suffers from 'stress injuries' I think that PTSD is just another blanket term used in cases where it doesn't really exist, and it does nothing to help those who really suffer from it.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Originally Posted by crunchywannabe

Not that I think these studies are wrong (I do not agree with spanking personally) But my personal theory is that the majority of Parents with lower IQs (or more mental health problems, or anger/agression issues-whatever the study of the day may say) don't have the skills, or mental capacity to find other forms of disciplining their children, so they use spanking either because they think it's easiest, takes the least amount of thought, or their parent's did it and thats what they know. By relation to their parents these kids are genetically predisposed to having lower IQs and other problems, that researchers are linking to effects of spanking.

While I personally do not believe that spanking is necessary nor the most effective form of discipline.... I think saying it causes PTSD is a stretch, and may only be true in cases of obvious abuse (not an occasional spanking with followed by discussion etc) Living with someone who suffers from 'stress injuries' I think that PTSD is just another blanket term used in cases where it doesn't really exist, and it does nothing to help those who really suffer from it.

You beat me to it. This article did not say that it corrected for socioeconomic status. It proves correlation, not necessarily causation. However, I do think there have been studies done that corrected for socioeconomic status with the same conclusion. This one just wasn't very well designed. Like anything else, I think it is the combination of natural and nurture (or lack thereof) that led to the low IQs.

[lovemylittlemiss]

That thought occurred to me too, but not having read the scientific article I assumed they would control for something like that. I personally do believe that perpetual spanking can lead to lower IQs though, even if it is just by a few points. I think for the child to reach their full potential they need to feel safe. If they are afraid of making mistakes because of the punishment, they will likely never learn to explore the world. I personally believe that exposure to new situations by exploring is how children "grow" their minds and reach their highest potential. Since IQ is something that can be drastically altered by the living situation, it is no surprise that the way the child is disciplined can have an effect. No study, just my thoughts.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Originally Posted by lovemylittlemiss

That thought occurred to me too, but not having read the scientific article I assumed they would control for something like that. I personally do believe that perpetual spanking can lead to lower IQs though, even if it is just by a few points. I think for the child to reach their full potential they need to feel safe. If they are afraid of making mistakes because of the punishment, they will likely never learn to explore the world. I personally believe that exposure to new situations by exploring is how children "grow" their minds and reach their highest potential. Since IQ is something that can be drastically altered by the living situation, it is no surprise that the way the child is disciplined can have an effect. No study, just my thoughts.

I remember seeing an article (which I can't find now) that showed that hitting a toddler's hands when they touched something they weren't supposed to led to reduced exploring, which led to a lower IQ, and this did correct for socioeconomic factors. So your thoughts have been proven.

[Cruiser]

It never ceases to amaze me how many parents don't research ANYTHING. They know nothing about car seat safety, don't even read the manual and will have the kid in wrong. Won't know the benefits of BF'ing. Won't know anything about cosleeping except that "it's dangerous and my baby will die". People don't read. It's sad, with the amount of information at your fingertips it is SO EASY to find credible information about stuff, but they don't bother!!

[lovemylittlemiss]

I think that's crazy too. There is so much false or exaggerated information out there. I personally believe they tell people not to co sleep because it's too much of an effort to explain safe co sleeping. Some people would try co sleeping and not do it safely, leading to deaths. If people would look into it they would see that correct co sleeping is as safe or even safer than not co sleeping.

[Noix]

I dont understand why anyone would spank their children...

I dont see how i could teach my child that violence is wrong but then spank it for something they did wrong.

[Rozz-berry]

Originally Posted by lovemylittlemiss

That thought occurred to me too, but not having read the scientific article I assumed they would control for something like that. I personally do believe that perpetual spanking can lead to lower IQs though, even if it is just by a few points. I think for the child to reach their full potential they need to feel safe. If they are afraid of making mistakes because of the punishment, they will likely never learn to explore the world. I personally believe that exposure to new situations by exploring is how children "grow" their minds and reach their highest potential. Since IQ is something that can be drastically altered by the living situation, it is no surprise that the way the child is disciplined can have an effect. No study, just my thoughts.

Interesting. Thank you for this thought and also for posting this article. My son is only 1 and I am just becoming familiar with attachment parenting so this discussion was very helpful...