POSITION STATEMENTS AGAINST CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN IN ALL SETTINGS, INCLUDING HOMES

• END PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN (EPOCH-USA)

  Adopted unanimously by the EPOCH-USA Advisory Board May, 1996

  WHEREAS, all children need guidance and deserve to grow up in an environment free from physical harm and
  
  WHEREAS, millions of children suffer child abuse each year in the name of discipline, and
  
  WHEREAS, corporal punishment of children provides a poor model for solving interpersonal problems, leads to a pro-violence attitude, and contributes to the cycle of abuse, and
  
  WHEREAS, violence to children is a preventable harm, and
  
  WHEREAS, preventing physical violence to children includes learning and using non-violent discipline methods,
  
  NOW, THEREFORE EPOCH-USA will seek to end corporal punishment of children by all persons, including parents, through education and legal reform. EPOCH-USA advocates child-rearing practices that develop caring, responsible, and self-disciplined adults.

• Association for Childhood Education International

  The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) has sought to "promote the inherent rights, education, and well-being of all children in home, school, and community." Consistent with its overall mission, another major goal of the Association is to "facilitate desirable conditions, programs, and practices for children from infancy through early adolescence."

  ACEI has actively supported the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, since its adoption in November 1989. The Convention is the most highly ratified human rights agreement in history. The Convention is important because it serves to focus attention on children's issues and it provides the legal basis for improving the living conditions for children worldwide. The Convention seeks to establish certain minimum standards that all governments that sign the doctrine agree to follow, which guarantee a child's basic needs, protections, and freedoms.

  Article 19 of the Convention specifies that State Parties (i.e., governments that ratify the Convention) must take appropriate measures to protect children from "all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation." In most countries/states, laws are already in place that spell out what kinds of discipline are considered excessive or abusive. Although the Convention does not specifically address what forms of discipline should be used in the home, it strongly supports parents providing nonviolent guidance and direction to their children. In school, administrators are expected to take into account the child's "human dignity" and eliminate any discipline practices that may cause physical or mental harm.

  See more information here.

• CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

  Received: May 3, 2005

  The Report of the Reference Committee G on Resolution 710-05: THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN

  Author: Dr. Valerie Barnes, MD

  RESOLVED: That the CMA opposes the corporal punishment of children in all venues, including the home, and be it further

  RESOLVED: That the CMA develop a media campaign including news releases, press conferences, radio broadcasts, and other means to promote its new policy opposing the corporal punishment of children in all venues, and be it further

  RESOLVED: That the matter be referred for national action.

  RECOMMENDED ACTION: YOUR REFERENCE RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION ( FOR RESOLUTION #710-05) AND ASKS FOR A "YES" VOTE ON IT.

  RESOLVED: That CMA urge its physician members to assist parents in developing methods other than spanking (and other corporal punishment) for managing children's behavior; and be it further

  RESOLVED: That CMA publicize its policy on corporal punishment to the public.

  Reason (s) for the Recommendation:

  1. The Committee is persuaded that corporal punishment, especially when inflicted in anger, is of questionable benefit and has potentially deleterious side effects.
  2. The Committee is concerned about preventing abuse of children and believes physicians should play a strong role in education parents and caregivers so that their discipline of children does nor border on or lead to such abuse.

• CANADIAN PEDIATRIC SOCIETY

  Disciplinary spanking
  The Psychosocial Paediatrics Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society has carefully reviewed the available research in the controversial area of disciplinary spanking (7-15). The existing research is not in the form of double-blind, randomized controlled trials, as such studies would be impossible to conduct. Moreover, no modern ethics committee is likely to approve research that involves violence against children. The research that is available supports the position that spanking and other forms of physical punishment are associated with negative child outcomes.

  The Canadian Paediatric Society, therefore, recommends that physicians strongly discourage disciplinary spanking and all other forms of physical punishment. Physical redirection or restraint to support time-out or to prevent a child from harming himself or others may be necessary, but should be done carefully and without violence.

  Physical harm to a child inflicted by a parent out of control and in a rage is completely inappropriate and dangerous. During periods of anticipatory guidance on appropriate discipline, physicians should also remind parents to take a time-out for themselves before they lose control.

• ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

  Since 1982, the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) has sought to "promote the inherent rights, education, and well-being of all children in home, school, and community." Consistent with its overall mission, another major goal of the Association is to "facilitate desirable conditions, programs, and practices for children from infancy through early adolescence."

  See the full position paper for more.

• AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY

  Since 1995, the American Humane Association has had a formal policy against corporal punishment in the home, and in schools and custodial settings such as foster care, group homes, or other child caring facilities. We oppose corporal punishment of children and advocate its replacement with alternative, non-violent discipline methods. As an organization that voices the concerns of public child protective services, we also support government policies that prohibit corporal punishment in foster care and other out-of-home care settings.

  See their newsletter () for more information. Note that this is an Adobe Acrobat document (PDF file).

• THE NATURAL CHILD PROJECT

  The Natural Child Project works toward a world in which all children are treated with dignity, respect, understanding, and compassion. Their site includes articles and advice by leading writers on attachment parenting, unschooling, and child advocacy, helping parents and professionals to see all of life, including all forms of punishment, from the child's point of view.

  Natural Child Project: http://www.naturalchild.org

• Organizations That Have Positions Against All Corporal Punishment of Children Including That In Homes

  • American Humane Association
  • American Orthopsychiatric Association
  • Association for Childhood Education International
  • California Medical Association
  • Center for Effective Discipline
  • Early Childhood Association of Florida
  • End Physical Punishment of Children-USA
  • Family Service of Milwaukee
  • Green Mountain Educational and Cultural Trust, Inc. (Free the Kids!)
  • International Child Art Foundation
  • Justice for Children
  • Loving Alternatives in Parenting
  • National Association of Social Workers
  • National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools
  • National Foster Parent Association
  • The Natural Child Project
  • Parenting for Peaceful Families
  • Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education
  • Parents Anonymous
  • The Peaceful Home Foundation
  • Society for Adolescent Medicine
  • Texas Green Party
  • United Methodist Church
  • Village of Child Help
  • Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board

 

Compiled by:	Center for Effective Discipline
(September 2006)	155 W. Main St., Suite 1603
	Columbus, OH 43215