Is spanking permitted?
Physical discipline is particularly ineffective for children who have suffered abuse and neglect. For children who have been abused, spanking or smacking can be terribly damaging. They may be so used to being physically abused and emotionally hurt that they don’t “feel” the pain. Therefore, they have to be hit or spanked harder and harder to feel any effects. Furthermore, they may find pleasure or relief in getting the spanking because it’s the only way they have learned to get attention. Therefore, they will work hard to get their new parents to show attention the same way that their birth families showed attention. Using alternatives to physical punishment has two important benefits. First, it minimizes the risk of additional hurt to a child. Second, it helps break the intergenerational cycle of physical abuse. Kornerstone policy and Minimum Standards both state that any type of physical punishment or discipline, including spanking, swatting, and smacking, is not permitted under any
