Punishments: what predicts adult approval

We surveyed 449 parents to assess: (a) the prevalence of different types of physical and emotional punishment during their childhoods: (b) the prevalence of current parental approval of these types of punishments, and (c) risk factors for current approval of physical and emotional punishments. Parents in waiting rooms of pediatric clinics were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about their childhood punishment experiences and their current approval of various types of punishment. Reported experiences and approval were as follows: 24% experienced and 6% approved of uncommon punishments (e.g., burned), 45% experienced and 17% approved of common punishments (e.g., shaken), and 94% experienced and 88% approved of very common punishments (e.g., spanked). Having experienced each type of punishment was a highly significant risk factor for currently approving of that type of punishment (p < .01 for each). Race, income, and education were not significant risk factors for approval of different types of punishment. Many parents have experienced harsh types of punishment during their childhoods. Efforts at identifying and educating parents who approve of harsh and/or abusive types of punishment should focus on those who have experienced harsh punishment rather than on particular racial or socioeconomic groups.