This study analyzes the cultural contexts of spanking since the majority of research is performed on middle-class causation Americans. This article seeks to address the argument that spanking can have different ramifications depending on cultural background. The study assesses representative samples of Caucasian, Mexican, and African-American families. It finds that there are different frequencies of spankings among groups, yet the rates of children externalizing abusive behavior stayed the same. Therefore, corporal punishment should be considered harmful across cultures.
The quantitative findings definitively suggest that children will externalize aggressive behaviors within their own sub-communities. There are definitive trends, even with ethnic and cultural demographics accounted for.
If you wish to learn more about how children may externalize corporal punishment in their environments, read the full research below:
Authors: Elizabeth T. Gershoff, Jennifer E. Lansford, Holly R. Sexton, Pamela Davis-Kean and Arnold J. Sameroff