Spanking a child may be intended as discipline, but it can leave deep and lasting damage far beyond childhood bruises. A new comprehensive study reveals that physical punishment, including spanking, smacking or shaking, not only fails to improve behaviour but is consistently linked to a wide range of negative outcomes in children—spanning mental health, academic performance, relationships, and long-term wellbeing.
Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the research represents one of the most robust global analyses of corporal punishment to date. Conducted by researchers at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, the study reviewed 195 previous studies from 2002 to 2024, covering data from both low- and high-income countries.
Lead author Jorge Cuartas, Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology at NYU, stressed the urgent need to shift away from physical discipline:
“The consistency and strength of these findings suggest that physical punishment is universally harmful to children and adolescents,” he said. “There is no evidence of benefit—only harm.”
A Pattern of Harm
The findings are wide-reaching. Children who experienced physical punishment were more likely to suffer from:
·Poor mental health, including depression and anxiety
·Substance use issues
·Sleep disorders
·Impaired language skills and executive functioning
·Lower academic achievement
·Social-emotional delays and aggressive behaviour
·Victimisation or perpetration of violence, even in adulthood
The study also found that physical punishment weakens the parent-child bond and increases the risk of children becoming either perpetrators or victims of domestic and intimate partner violence later in life.
In essence, spanking not only fails to correct behaviour—it risks reinforcing a cycle of violence.
A Global Issue with Local Implications
The United Nations has long advocated for the abolition of corporal punishment. In 2006, the UN Secretary-General called for a global ban, characterising such acts—smacking, hitting, or shaking—as a violation of a child’s rights and dignity. As of 2024, 65 countries have enacted full or partial bans on corporal punishment, with the majority in high-income nations. These policy shifts have largely been driven by mounting evidence, like this study, on the long-term harms of physical discipline.
The NYU research reviewed outcomes from 92 low- and middle-income countries, reflecting the global nature of the issue. Despite cultural or socioeconomic differences, the pattern remained clear: physical punishment correlates with harm, not improvement.
Rethinking Discipline
Researchers and child psychologists alike argue that effective discipline doesn’t require force—it requires understanding, patience, and guidance. Techniques such as positive reinforcement, time-outs, and consistent boundaries are known to yield better behavioural outcomes without damaging emotional wellbeing.
“Moving forward, more research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing physical punishment on a global scale,” Cuartas said. “We must ensure children are protected from all forms of violence to support their healthy development.”
The Bottom Line
The take-home message for parents, educators, and policymakers is clear: corporal punishment is not just outdated—it’s dangerous. With mounting scientific evidence pointing to its long-term harms, it’s time to replace the stick with support, and ensure every child grows up safe, supported, and emotionally secure.
