Spanking & Child Discipline: Negative Impacts in Developing Countries
A comprehensive global study confirms physical punishment harms children universally, nonetheless of a country’s income level. This research reveals a strong link between spanking and detrimental outcomes including mental health challenges and behavioral issues.These findings, drawn from 195 studies in over 90 low- and middle-income countries, mirror issues seen in wealthier nations, challenging the “cultural normativeness hypothesis.” The UN advocates for a global ban, and sixty-five countries have taken action. News Directory 3 provides an overview of this critical research. Discover what preventive strategies are being developed to protect children globally.
Global Study Links Physical Punishment to Harmful Outcomes for Children
Updated June 20, 2025
A extensive analysis reveals that physically punishing children yields consistently negative results, irrespective of a country’s income level. The study, encompassing data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), mirrors findings in wealthier nations, linking corporal punishment to poor health, lower academic achievement, and impaired social-emotional advancement.
The United Nations has advocated for a global ban on corporal punishment as 2006. Corporal punishment, defined as acts of physical force intended to cause pain, includes actions like smacking, shaking, and spanking.Sixty-five countries have implemented full or partial bans, primarily in high-income nations with a gross national income of at least $14,000 per capita.
Jorge Cuartas, assistant professor at NYU Steinhardt School, noted the “cultural normativeness hypothesis,” wich suggests physical punishment’s effects might vary across cultures. However, he added that limited data from LMICs has hindered a complete understanding of the issue.
Researchers analyzed 195 studies published between 2002 and 2024, covering 92 LMICs and examining 19 outcomes, including parent-child relationships, mental and physical health, violent behavior, substance use, cognitive function, and sleep patterns.
The analysis revealed significant associations between physical punishment and negative consequences in 16 of the 19 outcomes. These included strained parent-child relationships,increased risk of violence,mental and physical health problems,substance use,poor academic performance,and impaired social-emotional skills.
The study, though, found no impact on cognitive skills, motor skills, or child labour. Crucially, researchers identified no positive outcomes linked to physical punishment.
“the consistency and strength of these findings suggest that physical punishment is universally harmful to children and adolescents,” Cuartas said.
Elizabeth T. Gershoff of the University of Texas at Austin, Drew H. Bailey of the University of California, irvine, Maria Alejandra Gutiérrez of Yale University, and Dana C. McCoy of Harvard University co-authored the research.
What’s next
Cuartas said further research is needed to develop effective strategies for preventing physical punishment globally and ensuring children’s protection from violence.