A study released yesterday by a University of New Hampshire professor suggests kids who are spanked have a lower IQ down the road than those who aren’t.
The results were more pronounced in younger children: IQs of children ages 2 to 4 who were not spanked were 5 points higher four years later than their un-spanked peers, while the IQs of children ages 5 to 9 years old who were not spanked were 2.8 points higher.
Also linked to spanking? Higher rates of post-traumatic stress symptons like heightened awareness, anxiety and being easily startled.
The more often parents spanked, the more significant the effect, but even occasional spanking – once or twice over the course of childhood – made a difference.
The study notes:
[C]orporal punishment is extremely stressful and can become a chronic stressor for young children, who typically experience corporal punishment three or more times a week…
Twenty-four countries ban the practice – the United States in not one of them – and the use of corporal punishment has been falling in recent decades.
What do you think? Join the conversation below!
- Does spanking have a place in responsible child-rearing?
- Were you spanked?
- Do you spank your kids?
