Is emotional child abuse corporal punishment?
On One Hand: Corporal Punishment Is Primarily PhysicalCorporal punishment involves physical punishment, like spanking. Corporal punishment is not emotional abuse and it may or may not be physically abusive, depending on the severity of the punishment. Emotional abuse involves things like ignoring, isolating, verbally abusing, frightening and neglecting children.On the Other: Corporal Punishment May Be Emotionally DamagingThe University of Minnesota Extension reports that corporal punishment can have numerous undesirable consequences and may damage children emotionally. For example, it increases the risk of depression, aggressive behavior, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide. It does not teach children to take responsibility for their own behavior, and it interferes with the development of empathy and compassion for others.Bottom LineCorporal punishment and emotional abuse are not the same thing. However, corporal punishment may damage children emotionally.
