Physical Discipline, Including Spanking, Linked to Negative Outcomes for Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

A sweeping new meta-analysis reveals the unequivocal harms of physical punishment on children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), establishing that the detrimental effects mirror those documented in wealthier nations. Published in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behaviour, this comprehensive study synthesizes findings from nearly two decades of research to conclusively demonstrate that corporal punishment universally undermines child health, development, and well-being. The investigation spans 195 empirical studies encompassing 92 LMICs, providing unprecedented global insight into a practice that continues to affect millions of children.

Physical punishment, defined as the deliberate use of physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort—including smacking, spanking, and shaking—has been a contentious issue in child-rearing debates worldwide. Despite a 2006 call from the United Nations Secretary General to abolish such practices, corporal punishment remains normative in many regions, especially in LMICs where cultural acceptance and socioeconomic factors often entrench its use. This void in comprehensive data from these countries has long impeded efforts to devise effective, universally informed child protection policies.

The study’s lead author, Jorge Cuartas, an assistant professor of applied psychology at New York University’s Steinhardt School, highlights the significance of their findings against prevailing cultural narratives. Cuartas points out that while some scholars have theorized the effects of physical punishment might differ based on how socially normalized it is—a concept known as the cultural normativeness hypothesis—the amassed data from LMICs reveals a starkly consistent pattern of harm irrespective of context. This convergence strongly suggests that the risks posed by corporal punishment transcend cultural and socioeconomic boundaries.

Methodologically, the research team conducted a multilevel meta-analysis, a rigorous quantitative approach that aggregates findings across multiple studies to identify robust trends and control for variability in study designs and outcomes. By statistically analyzing data concerning 19 distinct developmental and behavioral outcomes across diverse geographical and cultural settings, the researchers could isolate consistent associations between physical punishment and negative long-term effects on children.

Among the revealed consequences were significantly poorer parent-child relationships, escalating cycles of violence victimization and perpetration—including intimate partner violence in adulthood—heightened approval of violence, and increased incidence of physical and mental health disorders. Additionally, the data show pronounced difficulties with substance use, academic performance, and various cognitive and socio-emotional skills, painting a comprehensive picture of how corporal punishment impedes multiple dimensions of a child’s development.

While the research identified no substantial effects of physical punishment on cognitive or motor skills, nor on the likelihood of child labor, these null results stand in sharp contrast to the breadth of other negative outcomes. Notably, no benefits or positive consequences were found to arise from physical punishment, discrediting claims propagated in some societies that corporal discipline might bolster obedience or psychological resilience.

This uniformity of detrimental impact across the vast majority of behavioral and health indicators examined bolsters the argument for a universal policy framework condemning physical punishment in child-rearing globally. Such evidence reinforces that the method is not only outdated but also profoundly detrimental, warranting urgent action to protect children’s rights and foster healthy development worldwide.

Moving forward, Cuartas emphasizes the critical need for research focused on preventative interventions and alternative disciplinary strategies that respect children’s dignity and promote positive behavior without inflicting harm. To achieve such a shift on a global scale, collaborative efforts among policymakers, educators, psychologists, and community leaders are indispensable. The dissemination of culturally sensitive, evidence-based guidance and support to caregivers will be pivotal in eradicating corporal punishment as a normative parent response.

The study’s international authorship, involving scholars like Elizabeth T. Gershoff from the University of Texas at Austin, Drew H. Bailey of the University of California, Irvine, Maria Alejandra Gutiérrez at Yale University, and Dana C. McCoy of Harvard University, underscores the widespread academic commitment to resolving this critical public health issue. Their combined expertise in developmental psychology, public health, and education science adds considerable weight to the study’s conclusions.

Financial support from notable institutions, such as the National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship, the American Psychological Foundation, the Society for Research in Child Development, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, ensured the study’s depth and methodological rigor. Such backing highlights the growing global prioritization of research into child welfare and the harmful legacy of physical punishment.

Given these findings, it is incumbent upon governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies to accelerate legislative reform banning physical punishment, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and invest in public education campaigns. Only by targeting both the legal infrastructure and prevailing social norms can the cycle of violence against children be broken, cultivating environments where young people can thrive free from fear and physical harm.

In sum, this landmark meta-analysis delivers a clarion call to the global community: physical punishment inflicts universally harmful consequences that jeopardize not only immediate well-being but also long-term developmental trajectories. It challenges all stakeholders to embrace evidence-based alternatives that affirm children’s rights and nurture their potential, ensuring healthier futures across diverse societies.

News Publication Date: 5-May-2025

Web References: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02164-y