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Study Finds Spanking Ineffective for Discipline, Advocates Positive Parenting

3/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study in Child Abuse & Neglect finds no evidence spanking improves discipline over non-physical methods.
Researchers reviewed four historical trials and performed a meta-analysis, concluding no superiority of spanking.
They note flaws in the original studies, including small samples and high bias risks.
The authors, led by Leslie Atkinson, link physical punishment to negative developmental outcomes and advocate positive parenting.

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Story summary

A study in Child Abuse & Neglect finds no evidence spanking improves discipline over non-physical methods.
Researchers reviewed four historical trials and performed a meta-analysis, concluding no superiority of spanking.
They note flaws in the original studies, including small samples and high bias risks.
The authors, led by Leslie Atkinson, link physical punishment to negative developmental outcomes and advocate positive parenting.