This study is really inconclusive and i bet we would not even talk about it if they had researched sexual violence. I think that recommending swats as a tool makes this whole study quite questionable. Seems like they went in with a certain goal of white washing spanking. There is no long term effects being watched for.

[–] lowleekun@ani.social 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Yeah no, reading the article gives me all kinds of wrong vibes. Maybe my brain is wrong and should see sexual violence worse than physical violence but spanking childrens asses blurs that line i feel. I would rather have a undisciplined child than giving this form of discipline. Also i feel like people that do it will mostly resort as a often used tool, as it might feel effective (the child becomes afraid of miss stepping). But hey i think it is not wrong tondo research in these topics, i just hope people do not use it as an Excuse to be lazy about their tools.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I think you really hit one of my concerning points. A lot of people who defend spanking seem to be over enthusiastically defending spanking. I know parents who regret that they have to use physical force at times and struggle to use the minimum amount, and they shouldn’t be judged if they’re only using it to prevent immediate harm. But I regularly see people talking about spanking like they’re looking for an excuse. So often it seems to be a means of demonstrating power over a child or getting immediate relief from a child being frustrating.

And personally as a former little shit, I don’t think that the time my parents spanked me was on the list of things that fucked me up, hell I’m pretty sure I deserved it that time. But it also wasn’t what got me to behave. That was my mom creating an environment of trust and giving even handed punishments alongside discussions about why.