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Corporal Punishment-Reply
Kenelm F. McCormick, MD
Barberton Citizens Hospital Barberton, Ohio
Arch Fam Med. 1993;2(5):470.
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In reply
It was not my intention to suggest that all spanking supporters are mean in motivation or lacking in character. For most parents, the conscious and honorable motivation for discipline is to raise a respectful, productive, self-directed citizen. Yet, we use an act that exemplifies some of the very behavior we deplore, that does not engender respect for elder and order, and that does not teach self-direction. Our empiric acceptance of spanking is contradictory and involves more than simple acceptance of the wisdom of our elders.1
If spanking were effective or harmless it would be an acceptable tool of discipline. In fact, spanking is not more effective than other methods. When some of the most important goals of discipline are considered, it is less effective. The lesson is to hit and to misbehave only when punishment is unlikely. The effects of spanking are more subtle than appreciated. In addition, our
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
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