Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth: Executive Summary

Question 1

What are the research findings highlights?

Answer 1

1. There is no clear evidence of any benefit from the use of physical punishment on
   children.
2. There is strong evidence that physical punishment places children at risk for physical injury, poorer mental health, impaired relationships with parents, weaker internalization of moral values, antisocial behaviour, poorer adult adjustment and tolerance of violence in
   adulthood.
3. Few parents believe that physical punishment is effective, most believe it is unnecessary and
   harmful, and a majority think the most common outcome is parental guilt or regret.
4. Parents are more likely to use physical punishment if they approve of it, experienced it
   themselves as children, feel anger in response to their children’s behaviour, are subject
   to depression, or are burdened by particular forms of stress

Question 2

What are the conclusions of the statement?

Answer 2

Physical punishment of children and youth plays no useful role in their upbringing and poses only risks to their development. Parents should be strongly encourage to develop alternative and positive approaches to discipline

Question 3

What are recommendations for action in Canada?

Answer 3

1) delivery of public awareness messages to inform all Canadians that physical punishment is harmful to children’s development and is ineffective as discipline;
(2) development of universal parenting education

(3) provision of
the same protection of children from physical assault as is given to Canadian adults and to
children in a growing number of countries.