These findings point to the urgency of shifting beliefs about spanking in Canada. Findings from the current study indicate that the belief that spanking is normative is likely transmitted across generations from parent to child, so efforts to change these beliefs may well reduce intergenerational cycles of violence against children. There is evidence to suggest that prohibiting physical punishment of children is related to decreased support for physical punishment, and can serve to challenge views of the convention and necessity of such practices [ 47, 48] However, law reform alone is not enough. Prevention efforts that begin during adolescence, before many become parents themselves, may be effective in reducing the belief that spanking is a normal part of parenting. We are not aware of any existing prevention initiatives targeting adolescents. However, results from a recent systematic review of intervention programs designed to promote healthy romantic relationships in youth did show evidence across several studies for changes in beliefs about acceptance of dating violence among those in intervention groups compared to controls [ 49]. These findings should encourage the development and evaluation of adolescent interventions with the aim of shifting beliefs about spanking. Escapism or sense of adventure: People may find spanking therapy a way to change their routine and elevate their experience from mundane or everyday matters. Taillieu TL, Afifi TO, Mota N, Keyes KM, Sareen J. Age, sex, and racial differences in harsh physical punishment: results from a nationally representative United States sample. Child Abuse Negl. 2014;38(12):1885–94. A jury found him guilty of indecent assault over the beating at Winifred Holtby Secondary School in Bransholme on the then-teenage boy. Spiritual experience: Some people report that SM practices alter their state of consciousness, providing them with a sense of connection, wholeness, and mind expansion.

Frechette S, Romano E. How do parents label their physical disciplinary practices? A focus on the definition of corporal punishment. Child Abuse Negl. 2017;71:92–103. OK,” she said, taking the Frozen puzzle apart piece by piece, looking at each piece before putting it in the box. A few more minutes passed and not much progress had been made. Sagarin, B. J., et al. (2015). Sadomasochism without sex? Exploring the parallels between BDSM and extreme rituals.Associations between spanking beliefs and reported spanking among adolescents-parent/caregiver dyads in a Canadian sample Before engaging in spanking therapy or any sexual activity, it is important that individuals discuss consent, boundaries, and expectations with their partner. Zolotor AJ, Puzia ME. Bans against corporal punishment: a systematic review of the laws, changes in attitudes and behaviours. Child Abuse Rev. 2010;19(4):229–47. Reclaiming or relinquishing power through the act of spanking may help some people regain psychological control over past traumatic events. And she did. In record speed. My husband and I stood in the living room completely fazed by what just happened.

Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children. Global progress: Countdown to universal prohibition. 2018; https://endcorporalpunishment.org/countdown/. Accessed 10 June 2021. Perron JL, Lee CM, Laroche KJ, Ateah C, Clément M-È, Chan K. Child and parent characteristics associated with Canadian parents’ reports of spanking. Can J Commun Ment Health. 2014;33(2):31–45.I don’t want to go to bed,” she said, beginning to cry, “I’m so mad at you.” I reminded her that she needed to go to bed because a) it was late, and b) that was her consequence. However, the three of us stood there waiting for something to happen for a solid two minutes before anyone budged. United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. General Comment No. 8 (2006): The right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment (CRC/C/GC/8). Para 3. 2007, March 2. Labrecque, F., et al. (2020). What is so appealing about being spanked, flogged, dominated, or restrained? Answers from practitioners of sexual masochism/submission.

Finally, previous research has shown inconsistent relationships between sociodemographic variables and use of spanking [ 29, 50, 51, 52, 53]. The present results indicated that the prevalence of parent- and adolescent-reported spanking was equally common across almost all levels of sociodemographic variables. Only a few significant associations were found for sociodemographic variables and parent-reported and adolescent-reported spanking. Childhood experience of spanking was not associated with sex of the adolescent in either the parent- or adolescent-reported spanking models. These findings do not support implementation of educational prevention efforts targeted to specific groups; our findings support development of universal awareness-raising campaigns and public education strategies in Canada. The jury was told by the prosecution there was a "sexual element" to the punishment administered by Shaw while he taught at the school. The current findings have several important clinical and public health implications. First, the high prevalence of spanking calls for strong public education messaging in Canada. All levels of government, professional associations, and individual practitioners need to give a clear and consistent message that all physical punishment places children’s development at risk. To date, more than 660 professional organizations in Canada have endorsed the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, [ 54] which calls for public awareness strategies and for universally available parenting education and information about positive discipline in programs for babysitters, child and youth workers, early childhood educators, and teachers. The number of available parenting programs that are aimed specifically at reducing physical punishment is continually growing [ 55]. Public reaction to the video has been mixed. Some feel Miller went too far, while others said they understand her outrage and sympathize with her intentions. Other peoplesimply disagree with Miller’s decision to broadcast the confrontation on social media. Lee SJ, Taylor CA, Altschul I, Rice JC. Parental spanking and subsequent risk for child aggression in father-involved families of young children. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2013;35(9):1476–85.

Even when physical punishment wasn't considered child abuse, researchers found that corporal punishment placed children at a higher risk of developing almost every type of mental illness. What Parents Believe Spanking therapy requires skill, and people without training may not be able to carry it out safely. However, if individuals wish to try spanking therapy with a partner, they may want to speak with a trained spanking therapist first for advice or training.

Gershoff ET, Sattler KMP, Ansari A. Strengthening causal estimates for links between spanking and children’s externalizing behavior problems. Psychol Sci. 2018;29(1):110-120. doi:10.1177/0956797617729816Ward KP, Grogan-Kaylor A, Pace GT, Cuartas J, Lee S. Multilevel ecological analysis of the predictors of spanking across 65 countries. BMJ Open. 2021;11(8):e046075. The authors also note that some scientific theories suggest that SM practices, such as spanking, may help some people heal from trauma.