spanking

Studies point to the link between corporal punishment of children and youth violence. Have more countries been motivated to enact legislation that would address the issue?

Researchers look at countries that have prohibited corporal punishment for kids and their rate of youth violence.

One-quarter of mothers with the lowest incomes told researchers they'd administered physical discipline to a kindergarten-age child in the past week. Overall, though, physical discipline has declined.

Most parents say they have used corporal punishment. But there's abundant evidence that it doesn't improve behavior over time. Changing how parents talk to children does work, but it takes practice.