Corporal Punishment 1

Running head: Is Corporal Punishment Affective

Exercise #1

The Frequency of Corporal Punishment and is it Affective?

Anthony T. Feagin

SOWK 300

Tuskegee University

January 27, 2010

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Article 1

Socolar, R. R., Winsor, J., Hunter, W. M., Catellier, D., & Kotch, J. B. (1999). Maternal
disciplinary practices in an at-risk population. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent
Medicine, 153(9), 927-934. Retrieved from http://archpedi.ama-
assn.org/cgi/reprint/153/9/927

Abstract:

This Journal was about maternal disciplinary actions in at-risk families (poverty).
The study showed that mothers in these families tended to spank more than a
male figure. It also said that sometimes after failed first attempts in discipline the
second time the actions could become a form of child abuse. Some factors that
contributed to more harsh punishment from women were psychological distress
such as unemployment or marital strife; these situations led to inconsistent
discipline. The study also showed that parents who were recipients of corporal
punishment also subscribed to the same technique. Trends showed that the older
the parent the less likely they would engage in physical discipline.

Article 2

DuRant, R. H., Cadenhead, C., Pendergrast, R. A., Slavens, G., & Linder, C. W. (1994).
Factors associated with the use of violence among urban black adolescents. The
American Journal of Public Health, 84(4), 612-617. Retrieved from
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/reprint/84/4/612

Abstract:

This article talked about adolescents growing up in an environment where they

were exposed to an excess in violence. The articled did concede to the fact that
there is no preventative method stop violence. It points out that that homicide is
the number 1 killer of Blacks ages 15-19 and 9 times higher than white males
there age; with respects to females it is 3.9 times higher in the same age group.
Some trends that they pointed was poverty within the Augusta, GA Government
Housing Projects there was an increase in violence and severe corporal
punishment due poverty. Studies also showed that crime and delinquency was
learned in early intimate relationship groups such as families.The majority of the
subjects also came from single parent households, and 84% admitted to
committing violent acts.

Article 3

Holden, G. W., Miller, P. C., & Harris, S. D. (1999). The Instrumental Side of Corporal
Punishment: Parents' Reported Practices and Outcome Expectancies. Journal of
Marriage and Family, 61(4), 908-919. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/pss/354012
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Abstract:

This study focused not on the type of punishment itself but the reasons why
parents chose corporal punishment instead of other alternative methods. Parents
interviewed believed that a physical punishment once a week resulted in positive
outcomes, immediate compliance, better child behavior in the future, and less
maternal guilt. Some parents admitted to the fact that sometimes there physical
punishment was a snap reaction to anger in behavior they stilled felt that corporal
punishment was justified, effective, and appropriate for the child’s actions. In
these families the distress of the child is over looked in a sense that the ends
justified the means.

Article 4

Ellison, C. G., Bartkowski, J. P., & Segal, M. L. (1996). Conservative Protestantism and
the Parental Use of Corporal Punishment. Social Forces, 74(3), 1003-1028.
Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/pss/2580390

Abstract:

This study focused on Protestant religious groups and their influence on corporal
punishment within the houses of their followers. It mainly talks about how they
interpreted the Bible. Protestants in this study viewed the Bible as the literal word
of God, all humans are naturally sinful and corrupt, and those who violated the
word of God’s rule must be punished. These theories were backed by pamphlets
that circulated through Protestant function and echoed the same sentiment that
children are here to obey parents. Baptist were more likely to use corporal
punishment when disciplining their children

Article 5

Thomson, E., Mosley, J., Hanson, T. L., & McLanahan, S. S. (2001). Remarriage,
Cohabitation, and Changes in Mothering Behavior. Journal of Marriage and
Family, 63(2), 370-380. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/pss/3654598

Abstract:

This study focused on how single mothers disciplined their children while they
were single, and compared it to when they enter relationships with new partners/
marriages. It was noted that when a single mother engaged in a new relationship
or marriage there were some drastic factors that changed that could lead to
parental changes. These were an increase in income leading to less stressful life,
a second pair of eyes that could help contribute to catching the child in
disobedience acts, ears to keep track of kids, and extra hands that could be more
hands on with the child and not always requiring direct contact from the mother. A
male around could also help strengthen authority of mother and help in difficult
disciplinary actions.
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