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well as test out basic concepts such as cause and effect. Spanking children is not going to take away this instinct. However, it can make them doubt themselves and therefore negatively impact their budding self-confidence.

Some aggressive behavior in early childhood is normal. Basically, this is because young children do not have the cognitive and verbal skills to convey their feelings and frustrations. Tantrums, biting and pushing are often the result of this immaturity, especially during the toddler and preschool years when children are more likely to be spanked.

Children who are afraid, tired, treated unfairly, hungry or dealing with separation anxiety might throw a tantrum or hit someone because they do not know any other way to express themselves. Responding to these kinds of aggressive behaviors with more aggressive behavior in the form of spanking sends a confusing message.

Furthermore, it is common to see disruptive behavior in children who frequently witness marital discord or domestic violence. Dealing with any of these kinds of troublesome behaviors by means of corporal punishment only exacerbates the underlying feelings of insecurity and increases unwanted, aggressive behavior in children.

~ Risk of Physical Abuse ~

The act of spanking a child can be prematurely ignited by parental frustration and irritation that has nothing to do with the child himself. Parents who believe in spanking may all ready be worried or stressed out by something well before their children act out. Then, when the child commits some minor infraction or normal, albeit annoying, behavior, it fuels that pre-existing tension and the parent loses control. This loss of control sets the stage for potential physical abuse.

Ultimately, spanking is not an ideal way of disciplining children because it sends a conflicting and sometimes demeaning message. It is a confusing lesson in contradiction that a vulnerable child is forced to accept with an openhanded slap of "love".

Learn more about this author, Rachel Howells.
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