Corporal Punishment, Research Paper Example

Corporal Punishment – Acceptable or Abuse?

Although the term appears to be outdated in some respects, the concept of corporal punishment continues to exist in modern society in some cultures as a means of conducting disciplinary action upon those that do not adhere to the rules. Although this is considered by some to be an acceptable form of punishment, many others argue that this level of discipline is far too harsh and consequential for those being punished. Therefore, a balance must be identified that will distinguish between the needs of different types of situations that might warrant corporal punishment activities, and when these actions might be considered abusive to those that receive them. Therefore, the primary research questions to consider are as follows: 1) Under which circumstances is corporal punishment an acceptable form of behavior? 2) When is corporal punishment considered to be an act of abuse? These questions and other factors associated with corporal punishment will be addressed in the following paragraphs, and will consider the challenges that are relevant in order to demonstrate the basic principles of this process, and when it is permitted versus when it is an unacceptable practice.

Main Purpose

The primary purpose of the study is to address the overall context of corporal punishment and how it is used in today’s society, when it is used permissibly, as well as when it is used excessively. This will demonstrate that there are significant options to exercise disciplinary action against children, and that corporal punishment is only one of several choices that might be feasible for consideration. It is necessary to evaluate existing literature regarding this topic, and how this reflects a key understanding of the principles that are most relevant in supporting long-term outcomes for children that face routine disciplinary action. This information is relevant in order to determine if there are any long-term patterns that are associated with children that have experienced corporal punishment on a regular basis, in contrast to those children that were never punished in this manner. For children that have experienced these circumstances more regularly, there is likely to be a number of important challenges that they face during childhood and beyond with respect to behavioral responses, and these must be addressed properly in order to improve long-term outcomes. This research is interesting because it offers a greater understanding of the issues that are often prevalent in this population, and how they reflect the manner in which children behave in today’s society, and how much of this behavior is influenced by disciplinary actions that are taken against them. This project is motivating because it may address some personal questions regarding why children behave in specific ways, and how these behaviors have created different problems and concerns for them with respect to their educational, social, and familial circumstances. It is necessary to develop an effective understanding of these principles, and to apply them to a variety of situations so that corporal punishment might be addressed in the desired manner without further consequence to those that receive this type of discipline.

Units of Analysis

In order to evaluate corporal punishment effectively, it is necessary to address the challenges that are involved in determining how frequently corporal punishment is used, and which groups of the modern population employ this practice on either an infrequent or regular basis. These objectives will ultimately determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the objectives of the discussion. The most effective strategy to consider corporal punishment is to examine different cross sections of the United States population that might be inclined to use corporal punishment in one way or another, and to establish an effective understanding of these population segments to determine the extent of corporal punishment use. It is suspected that different population groups use corporal punishment in different ways, depending upon their cultures, existing practices, income levels, educational quality, and other related considerations, and that these criteria are very useful in determining the widespread reach of this practice across different populations. In general, the most effective means to examine corporal punishment involves the evaluation of social groups and policies that are often based upon existing cultural practices, as well as educational standards, each of which influences the use of corporal punishment in different ways. This requires an effective understanding of the concerns and issues that impact today’s populations, and how children are also impacted by family values and principles, both positive and negative, and how they might mature as a result of these concerns, and even act out in negative ways during adolescence and adulthood.

Points of Focus and Time Dimension

In this discussion, the primary points of exploration involve a key understanding of the intent that surrounds corporal punishment, and why it is selected as a behavioral mechanism rather than other choices. Therefore, the behaviors that lead to corporal punishment activities must serve as the key facilitators in promoting these actions amongst different population groups. Therefore, the intent behind these actions, and the behaviors that lead to them are the key indicators of the study and its purpose. In addition, the study is best suited for a cross-sectional evaluation, because this will provide elements of data from different sectors that will be useful in determining how corporal punishment is used across different population groups and sectors.

Ethical and Political Implications

Due to the sensitive nature of the study and the examination of statistics that are associated with young children, there are ethical challenges that are associated with the study that require further consideration, so that any data or information regarding this age group is protected from unnecessary risk or harm. This will also ensure that there are significant opportunities to explore issues involving human subjects, which may include but are not limited to informed consent, participation, confidentiality, and legal issues. Therefore, in order to protect the subjects that are being considered for inclusion in the study, there must be an approach in place that is designed to protect subjects from being specifically identified. Each subject that is considered for the study will be provided with an informed consent form, and will not be forced to participate in the study under any circumstances. Their participation is entirely voluntary, and no consequences will be made if participation is declined for any reason. In addition, all subjects will be identified using a random number assignment that is not associated in any way with a specific subject so that they would be identifiable. Since the primary purpose of the study is to collect data regarding participants, there is very minimal risk involved in study participation. It is also important to note that the study reflects an opportunity to explore data involved in corporal punishment in an honest and forthright manner. Therefore, any data that is collected will be used truthfully. Due to the sensitivity of the subject matter and the subject population, it is also believed that  there are considerable risks that may lead to legal concerns, so in order to limit these risks, the study will be examined in such a way that it reflects these legal concerns up front with the consent form and participation process. It is also anticipated that the study will minimize any possible conflicts of interest within the process by exploring these issues at the very beginning, and will exclude any potential participant that does not fall under the strict criteria that are established by the study leaders. From an ethical perspective, it is expected that there will also be some concerns, but that these will be limited and will be addressed in the consent form. Finally, the study data will not be used beyond the scope of this individual research project, so there is no risk of data tampering or utilization by other studies without the express written permission of the study leaders. This will ensure anonymity and confidentiality as best as possible throughout the study process.

Literature Review

A wide body of literature sources are available that consider the challenges involved in corporal punishment for children from a behavioral perspective. There are many diverse opinions regarding corporal punishment, and are derived from many different schools of thought, as noted in the following: “The practice of hitting and ideas supporting such disciplinary technique are deeply embedded in the religious beliefs of selected groups within the United States and other Western societies—especially among conservative Evangelical Christians” (Ripoll-Nunez and Rohner, 2006, p. 222). In this context, it is necessary to consider the role that different cultural and religious beliefs play in individual opinions regarding corporal punishment, and how these circumstances also relate to other perspectives (Ripoll-Nunez and Rohner, 2006). In this context, it is essential to develop a key understanding of the role that these perspectives play in the behaviors that are exhibited by different cultural and population groups.

Other opinions have evolved regarding corporal punishment that include the following: “Proponents of appropriately used non-abusive CP believe some discipline needs to be ‘more serious’ than others in order to make the desired lesson memorable for the child. However, debate continues over whether a caregiver is able to maintain control of the physical punishment so it does not escalate into abuse” (Litzow and Silverstein, 2008, p. 542). In this context, it becomes very important to address the role that these circumstances play in how corporal punishment is viewed by different cultures and groups, and how these circumstances are conducive to the use of corporal punishment in specific situations (Litzow and Silverstein, 2008).  It is also necessary to consider that corporal punishment may lead some children to face difficult periods of behavioral problems and subsequent adjustment, which may reflect a difficult time for these children over the long term (Aucoin et.al, 2006). Since this form of discipline is viewed in a very negative light in some cultures, it becomes necessary to evaluate how it influences the ability of children that have been punished in this manner to effectively adjust to normal routines and circumstances without severe consequences (Aucoin et.al, 2006). However, research demonstrates that it has been very difficult in many cases to associate the two concepts in an effective manner (Aucoin et.al, 2006). Therefore, further research into this area is required in order to link the two concepts together more appropriately. To coincide with this assessment, “several researchers have argued that parental use of corporal punishment is associated with increases in children’s behavior problems” (Grogan-Kaylor, 2005, p. 293). In this manner, it is observed that there are significant problems that are likely to occur with some children who face repeated disciplinary action in the form of corporal punishment, and that these issues must be addressed as early as possible in order to consider underlying behavioral concerns successfully (Grogan-Kaylor, 2005). However, it is well known that “The precise longitudinal nature of the relationship between parental use of corporal punishment and children’s behavior problems remains poorly understood” (Grogan-Kaylor, 2005, p. 284). Therefore, the proposed research study serves as an opportunity to explore these choices, and to draw conclusions regarding different behaviors and how they ultimately influence long-term outcomes for children facing this type of discipline over a period of time.

In many cases, “CP is correlated with more severe physical violence, psychological abuse, and other familial and contextual risks…recent research suggests that frequent spanking is also associated with children’s hormonal reactivity to stress” (Gagne et.al, 2007, pp. 1286-1287). It is very important to address these circumstances in the context of this research proposal, because these outcomes are likely to influence the behaviors that some adults will assume in regards to corporal punishment, and how this reflects a means of facilitating change for those persons that might have considered corporal punishment as a feasible option (Gagne et.al, 2007). With these considerations in mind, it is important to address these findings in such a way that behavioral concepts are evaluated in greater detail, so that there are no questions regarding the level at which corporal punishment is used throughout different cultural and population groups. In general, over the long term, “Spanking and other forms of CP are related to increased aggressive and delinquent behavior in children, poorer parent/child relationships, worse child mental health, increased physical abuse of children, increased adult aggression and criminal behavior, decreased adult mental health, and increased risk of abusing one’s own spouse or child as an adult” (Knox, 2010, p. 104).  In this context, it is important to note that due to the negative nature of these behaviors, adults should likely reconsider the type of punishment that they bring upon children under different circumstances, because corporal punishment is not always the most feasible choice (Knox, 2010).

Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement

The key concepts to consider in this study are as follows: 1) Behavioral measures that lead adults to enact corporal punishment upon children; and 2) Behavioral outcomes in children that face corporal punishment. These concepts will be utilized in such a way that they reflect opportunities to explore different underlying factors that lead to subsequent behaviors regarding corporal punishment. Each concept will be measured by using a survey instrument that will capture data regarding corporal punishment behaviors, and how these may lead to negative outcomes in some children. However, the primary focus will concentrate on adult behavioral measures that lead to corporal punishment actions upon children. The measurements will be based upon survey responses, so the outcomes will be evaluated accordingly. The variables will cover the behavioral aspects and intent behind corporal punishment for children for those that have used this form of discipline before.

Data Collection Plans

Data collection will take place in the form a survey instrument, which will reflect a key understanding of the challenges and considerations involving the adult behavioral aspects of corporal punishment. The design will be self-administered, and will be conducted in an effort to obtain the data that is necessary in order to understand why corporal punishment is conducted in some situations. This design is most useful for the research study because it offers the greatest opportunity to explore data from diverse points of view, and will provide the best cross-section of study participants selected for inclusion.

Sampling

The sampling design will be random, and will explore several different communities and their populations and cultures in order to obtain an effective cross-sectional analysis. This is important in order to convey the challenges that are involved in determining when and why corporal punishment is used by adults to discipline children, as opposed to other options. Researcher bias is not likely to be a problem, because the researcher does not have regular contact with children and is not vested in the concept other than from an independent research perspective. If time and resources were unlimited, it would be possible to explore many other options beyond the adult behavioral aspect of corporal punishment, such as child behaviors and related outcomes.

Results

In evaluating the results, it was determined that there are a number of key factors involved in the decision to use corporal punishment, but most importantly, personal experience with this form of discipline as a child, as well as community and cultural norms are the primary reasons behind the choice to use corporal punishment in a disciplinary manner. These conclusions are important in determining the manner in which to proceed with long-term outcomes and approaches to corporal punishment and why it is used in today’s society.

Retrospective Analysis

In evaluating the study and the research design, it is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the design, as well as other attributes that contributed to the process. The strongest component of the research design was the objectives of the study, since these addressed a relatively weak research area, and sought to explore additional measures that could better explain the reasons behind the choices to enact corporal punishment upon children. Since the findings are representative of a number of important trends in the adult population in regards to corporal punishment, they serve as useful indicators in order to determine how adults view corporal punishment, which is based upon their cultural and familial views, as well as personal perspectives regarding child discipline and how it should be carried out. These findings are only a small percentage of the many possible alternatives that exist, but they are nonetheless valid and reliable within the context of the study. Finally, if the time and resources were unlimited, the study would have explored additional factors that are important in order expand upon the behavioral aspects of adult choices in regards to corporal punishment. In addition, the survey instrument would have been more detailed and would have delved further into the aspects of the adult personality that might be conducive to choosing corporal punishment as a form of discipline.

Works Cited

Aucoin, K.J., Frick, P.J., and Bodin, S.D. (2006). Corporal punishment and child adjustment. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 27: 527-541.

Gagne, M.H., Tourigny, M., Joly, J., and Pouloit-Lapointe, J. (2007). Predictors of  adult attitudes toward corporal punishment of children. Journal of  Interpersonal Violence, 22(10): 1285-1304.

Grogan-Kaylor, A. (2005). Corporal punishment and the growth trajectory of children’s antisocial behavior. Child Maltreatment, 10(3): 283-292.

Knox, M. (2010). On hitting children: a review of corporal punishment in the United States. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 24(2): 103-107.

Litzow, J.M. (2008). Corporal punishment: a discussion of the debate. Paediatrics and Child Health, 18(12): 542-544.

Ripoll-Nunez, K.J., and Rohner, R.P. (2006). Corporal punishment in cross-cultural perspective: directions for a research agenda. Cross-Cultural Research, 40(3): 220-249.