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[erbie]

Does spanking make kids dumber?

Two studies say that it does.

Sure, five IQ points isn't a lot, but what's behind it? What biological, neurological and psychological processes are causing it? And is it worth it when there are other methods that are more effective and don't involve striking a child?

Comments

[siobhankha]

I wonder though, if perhaps kids with higher IQs tend to "know better" and not do so many things that would cause a parent to spank them (or at least know how to cover for it/talk their way out of it better)? I certainly don't advocate spanking, but it seems like that would be something to mention, at least.

[erbie]

We're talking little teeny kids here though, in the first group. A three year old is not going to be able to talk their way out of anything, no matter how smart they are for their age.

[siobhankha]

True, I didn't really take age into account. Well regardless, spanking is bad. :)

[merina]

I'm having a hard time with this study. I don't think you should spank teeny kids (or ANY kids) - and while I do think that spanking does all sorts of detrimental things to a child, I'm not so sure about the IQ link. There are so many other factors - including socio-economic factors. I don't know how to normalize all that out because it isn't as though you're going to take two similar parent groups and have one spank and one not...

Basically, I keep wondering if parents who spank are more likely to have children with lower IQs because there is another factor in there that makes those parents more likely to spank their kids?

[erbie]

I agree that the info in the article seems a bit dubious. But it does raise questions. And if there's any question, is it really worth it?

[live_momma]

I have no comment on the study. I haven't had a chance yet to read/skim the original to make sure there aren't any glaring issues. The other recent spanking studies did account for socio-economic factors.

However, I did have to share... You know how when you open a new window, it shows up at the bottom of your screen? Well, the box for this window says, "Erbie does spanking." OK, it says, "erbie: Does spankin...", but my brain filled in the rest. ;-)

[erbie]

Nice. lol!