Why Spanking Doesn't Work: Stopping This Bad Habit and Getting the Upper Hand on Effective Discipline

by Michael J. Marshall

Do you know your chances of getting assaulted and injured by someone else in your lifetime are greater in your family by far than in any other group of people you are likely to be around? Why is the family so violent? One of the main reasons is society’s belief that physical punishment is good for our children. Why Spanking Doesn’t Work proves otherwise. In this insightful, well-researched book, Dr. Marshall reveals what have been called "the best-kept secrets in developmental psychology." The author
• Hitting a child causes more behavioral problems than it solves
• Spanking has been found to increase aggression in children
• Cases of poor self-image and depression have been traced to childhood corporal punishment
• Repetition of one’s own childhood experience is a poor substitute for informed parenting Inflicting punishment is easy—anyone can strike a child—but healthy discipline practices must be learned. Parents who explore this book will be amply rewarded as they learn alternatives to spanking and other forms of physical punishment.

Genres: Parenting

216 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2002

About the author

Michael J. Marshall, PhD, Professor of Psychology at West Liberty State College and clinical psychologist in private practice, resides in Wheeling, West Virginia, with his wife and four children.

Reviews

[Grace Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a clear picture of why spanking doesn't work (as stated in the title). Michael splits the book into two halves:
1. Why spanking doesn't work
2. And what to do instead
He uses many examples of experiments done in psychology to prove his point. He talks about the undesirable effects of spanking, how corporal punishment causes the parents to become more aggressive and the surprising amount of abuse being carried out in the US unreported due to the acceptance of corporal punishment. I was reminded while reading this book of the Stanford prison experiment: People in a place of power will abuse it. I also was reminded that violence begets violence.
Michael also does a very good job of talking about why spanking continues even with research backing it's dangerous effects. He also explains briefly about biblical references and how they are misused.
He does a very good job of offering alternatives and resources to help build a better relationship with the child and better communication skills for the both parties.
His work is backed by countless findings in the psychological realm. Definitely worth the read!!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Various things I've learned as part of my almost-second-major in Family Life: Child Development education (I was two classes shy of a double major) support my perspective that spanking should never be used, in addition to the statement by President Hinckley that "my father never laid a hand on me except to bless me" (Go Forward With Faith, 141). This book backs this up and expounds on a variety of points, including providing good discipline strategies. My thorough review is posted here: https://asdeckerfamily.wordpress.com/...