Spanking Children can Lower their IQs

A recent study with children throughout the world has shown that spanking as a form of discipline lowers their IQs. 

"How often parents spanked made a difference. The more spanking, the slower the development of the child's mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a difference," Straus says.

Nations in which spanking was a more prevalent form of discipline showed lower national IQs than nations which utilized other methods of discipline.  Many international organizations are advocating that corporal punishment be legally banned and there is a worldwide trend away from spanking and physical discipline as parenting techniques.  The study suggested that children who are frequently spanked may develop symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and advocates for public information campaigns and education programs to inform parents of this finding and help them develop other methods of discipline. 

Children Who Are Spanked Have Lower IQs, New Research Finds, Science Daily, September 24, 2009.

Comments

[Ethereal Highway]

Thank you for this post. It is nice to see someone telling the truth. And besides lowering the child's IQ, how can we possibly teach our children reason and non-violence if their big grownup parents demonstrate that it is okay for big people to hit little people? We can't. I am so glad my children feel safe and accepted here at home, and yes... they are honor students with high IQs. Harvard bound, lest they change their minds. Whatever they decide is good by me.

[Kellen]

I couldn't agree more. The world could use a lot less violence and, as you point out, how can we teach non-violence while practicing violence? Congratulations on having raised honor students. I'm pleased to hear you allow them to think for themselves. I think it is so crucial not only to teach children how to think, but to give them the freedom to make their own choices. Bravo, and thank you for the feedback.