Body punishments refer to children most frequently, but can refer to any sanction inflicted by parents, caregivers or teachers who are intended to cause a certain degree of discomfort. This can happen at home or in more public circles such as school class.
But wherever this happens, this type of punishment has large-scale effects, including an increased risk of anxiety and depression in addition to a reduction in cognitive and socio-emotional development.
“”[Corporal punishment] offers no advantage to the behavior, development or well-being of children and no advantage for parents or societies“Said Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Determinants of the Ministry of Health.
No evidence that it works
In recent decades, many studies have examined the effects of body punishment, and none has found that this has a positive impact on children or their behavior. On the other hand, many have found that he has many negative long -term health impacts on children as individuals – and companies as a whole.
“Now there is overwhelming scientific evidence Body punishments have multiple health risks of children“Said Ms. Krug.
A study conducted in 49 low and intermediate income countries revealed that children who are punished is 24% less likely to be in terms of development with their peers.
In addition to causing immediate physical damage, this form of punishment increases the hormonal stress levels of children who can really change the structure and function of the brain. In short, the impacts on an individual level can be long, depending on the report.
From a societal point of view, children who are physically punished are also more likely to do the same with their own offspring, creating an intergenerational cycle of violence. Likewise, adults punished with corporate as a child are more likely to develop violent, criminal and aggressive behavior.
“”Practice [of corporal punishment] also feeds broader social acceptance of violence, strengthening the harmful cycles between generations“Said the report.
There is no evidence that body punishments are effective in changing children’s behavior.
Regional differences
Although body punishment is widespread around the world and in cultures, regional variations persist.
For example, in Europe and Central Asia, around 41% of children are subject to body punishment in houses, compared to 75% in the Middle East and North Africa.
The disparity is even more important in schools – only 25% of children in the Western Pacific experience bodily punishment during their education, against more than 70% in Africa and Central America.
Girls and boys are almost as likely to undergo body punishment, although they can undergo a punishment for different behaviors and in different ways.
However, disabled children run an increased risk of suffering from body punishment. In addition, the poorest communities and those who undergo economic or racial discrimination are more likely to practice body punishment.
More than politics
The report stresses that the ban on body punishment is important but not sufficient. In fact, studies have shown that there is no coherent association between legal prohibitions and the decrease in physical punishment rates.
Currently, 67 countries of the world have universal prohibitions on corporal punishmentat home and at school. In addition to a better application of these prohibitions, which requires new educational campaigns to strengthen the damage it can cause.
“The continuous use of body punishment and persistent belief in the need for its use despite legal prohibitions, suggest that efforts to promulgate and apply such laws should be accompanied by campaigns to increase awareness,” said the report.
Studies suggest that if parents knew alternative and more effective methods of children, they would use them.
“It’s time to put an end to this harmful practice to make sure that children thrive at home and at school,” said Ms. Krug.
