Spanking and Child Development: We know enough now to stop hitting our children

In this article, Elizabeth Gershoff explores the connections between corporal punishment of children in the home, its effectiveness in promoting a desired behaviour, and the notorious side effects on the child’s wellbeing and behaviour. Gershoff draws on a wide range of scientific studies to support her findings. She also cites several human rights organizations’ (including the United Nations’) standpoints on corporal punishment as an act of violence against children and therefore a violation of their human rights.