Children who often receive punishment in the form of a slap are more likely to become aggressive and anxious compared to their peers, regardless of their cultural background.
A group of scientists from prestigious universities in the United States, Sweden, China, Thailand, Italy, and India conducted a large-scale study on the impact of physical punishment by adults, particularly parents, on children. The issue was examined across more than 300 families in six countries (some of which accept slapping as a legitimate form of discipline, while others completely prohibit it).
The results revealed that slapping leads to numerous behavioral issues in children across all countries. All children who were slapped exhibited higher levels of aggression, anxiety, and emotional difficulties compared to their peers who did not face such punishment. However, it is noteworthy that the severity of these issues was lower in places where such punishments are considered the norm, as stated by lead researcher Jennifer Lansford in the journal Child Development.
Currently, there are mixed opinions worldwide regarding whether slapping children leads to behavioral incidents, and whether the society in which a child is raised affects the outcomes. Many European countries have banned the practice of slapping children, yet most developing countries do not have such regulations.
In the study, mothers from China, India, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, and Thailand were asked about how often they disciplined their children through slapping. Researchers then examined the emotional state of the children and the frequency of fights among them. The results showed that mothers in Thailand slapped their children the least, whereas those in India and Kenya did so the most.
Mỹ Linh (according to BBC)
