School Psychologist Dr. Mia Carter Shares Insights on Spanking: Essential Information for Parents

Like many in Generation X, I experienced spanking during my childhood. While it was infrequent and not overly harsh, my parents would always follow up with discussions about the behavior that led to the punishment. It seemed common among families I knew, some of whom faced significantly harsher treatment. Consequently, I considered my parents’ approach to spanking a reasonable form of discipline, believing that it was sometimes necessary to effectively communicate with a child.

As I prepared for motherhood and read various parenting guides while my now-15-year-old son was still an infant, I encountered suggestions advocating for alternatives to spanking. However, I was so entrenched in the belief that spanking was essential that I dismissed this advice. I suspected experts were simply cautious, not wanting to endorse physical discipline, especially since some individuals might struggle to distinguish between controlled spankings and actual abuse.

Research Insights on Spanking

Recent research, however, reveals troubling insights regarding spanking’s impact on a child’s developing brain. Dr. Mia Carter, a licensed psychologist and school psychologist, recently discussed a significant study from Harvard with Buzzfeed. “Spanking alters how a child’s brain develops from an early age,” Dr. Carter explained to reporter Jenna Lee. “It causes their brain activity to resemble that of children who have endured severe abuse.”

The Harvard study examined children aged 10 and 11, comparing those who had been spanked (with varying frequencies) to those who had never been subjected to spanking. While children with histories of severe abuse were excluded, the researchers had access to comparative data. Using MRI scans, the children’s brain responses were monitored as they viewed images of actors displaying fearful and neutral expressions.

The findings were striking. Although all children exhibited increased brain activation in response to fearful faces, the spanked children showed an exaggerated reaction to fear while being less responsive to neutral expressions. Alarmingly, Dr. Carter noted, “When comparing the brain scans of children who were spanked to those of abused children, the differences in prefrontal cortex activity were minimal.” Simply put, even occasional spanking may lead to brain responses akin to those seen in abused children.

Questioning Traditional Discipline Methods

As my son transitioned from toddlerhood and began displaying clear signs of ADHD, I started to question the effectiveness of spanking. It became evident that his behavior stemmed from impulse control issues rather than defiance. How could I justify punishing him for something he couldn’t control? And what impact would continued spanking have on his developing personality? Although I rarely spanked him, I followed my parents’ method, which led me to wonder if I was truly shaping him into the person I envisioned. I eventually ceased spanking altogether and explored alternative methods of discipline: time-outs (which I later learned could be harmful if they induce shame), token systems, therapy, meditation, medication, and extensive communication.

Dr. Carter elaborated on the many negative consequences associated with spanking as a typical disciplinary method. “Spanking can have numerous detrimental effects on children,” she mentioned in her Buzzfeed interview. “They’re less likely to trust their caregivers and may become secretive about their misbehaviors, avoiding discussions about their actions to evade punishment. Instead of understanding the consequences of their actions on others, they may alter their behavior primarily to avoid punishment.”

This resonated with my experience as I witnessed my son developing fear-based tactics to avoid getting into trouble rather than genuinely learning valuable lessons.

Cultural Perspectives on Spanking

For many families, spanking is a tradition handed down through generations, sometimes associated with cultural practices. In response, Dr. Carter stated, “We often confuse cultural practices with generational trauma. It’s a method that has been used on communities that have historically faced oppression, and it can be mistakenly viewed as a cultural norm.” My children’s father, of Peruvian descent, experienced a harsher form of spanking growing up. Yet, he has expressed regret over his upbringing and has chosen not to apply those methods with our children. Dr. Carter emphasizes, “Just because we endured certain experiences doesn’t mean we should repeat them with our children. It’s not a cultural practice; it’s trauma, and it’s often more prevalent in communities of color due to systemic oppression.”

In my predominantly white Christian upbringing, spanking was normalized and continues to be accepted in many circles. Most parents who resort to spanking do so not out of malice but from the tools they were given in their own upbringing, striving to raise their children as they were raised.

Moving Forward with Informed Choices

The encouraging news is that it’s never too late to change and make informed parenting choices. By discontinuing spanking, I noticed a significant improvement in my relationship with my son. I am confident that his decision-making and reasoning skills have developed more effectively without the influence of physical punishment. Now, with more scientific evidence supporting the ineffectiveness and potential harm of spanking, Dr. Carter concludes, “Understanding that even mild spanking can lead to brain responses resembling those of abused children raises the question: Why continue? It’s simply not worth it.”

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Summary:

Dr. Mia Carter, a school psychologist, highlights the significant negative impacts of spanking on children’s brain development, suggesting that even mild forms of physical discipline can have effects similar to those seen in abused children. As parents seek effective discipline methods, alternatives to spanking may foster healthier relationships and promote better emotional and cognitive development in children.

Keyphrase: Spanking and its effects on child development

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