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Beating children leads to lower IQ-
A recent research revealed that children spanked by their parents grow up less clever than those not physically punished.
The study was carried out by professor Murray Straus and presented at the 14th International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, in San Diego, California.
'All parents want smart children. This research shows avoiding spanking and correcting misbehavior in other ways can help that happen,' Straus says. 'The results of this research have major implications for the well being of children across the globe. 'It is time for psychologists to recognize the need to help parents end the use of corporal punishment and incorporate that objective into their teaching and clinical practice,' the expert added.
To reach the conclusion, Straus and Mallie Paschall, senior research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, studied nationally representative samples of 806 children ages 2 to 4, and 704 ages 5 to 9. Both groups were retested four years later.
IQs of children ages 2 to 4 who were not spanked were 5 points higher four years later than the IQs of those who were spanked. The IQs of children ages 5 to 9 years old who were not spanked were 2.8 points higher four years later than the IQs of children the same age who were spanked.
'How often parents spanked made a difference. The more the spanking, slower the development of the child's mental ability. But even small amounts of spanking made a 'difference,' Straus says.
First, corporal punishment is extremely stressful and can become a chronic stress for young children, who typically experience corporal punishment three or more times a week. For many it continues for years. The research found that the stress of corporal punishment shows up as an increase in post-traumatic stress symptoms such as being fearful that terrible things are about to happen and being easily startled. These symptoms are associated with lower IQ.
