Spanking Children Creates Mental Health, Decreases IQ and Affects A Child's Trust

“To hit a child with the hand, usually several times on the bottom as a punishment,” this is more commonly known as spanking.  It has become more socially unacceptable to lay a hand on a child however what happens behind closed doors is leading to almost 7,000 children needing protection from physical abuse.

The subject of spanking has become much of a public debate after comments from US senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz stated that voters will spank Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State for supposedly lying about the Benghazi scandal that took place in 2012, just like he spanks his five-year-old daughter when she lies.

Spanking can be identified as a form of corporal punishment, which the British legal system views as an outdated form of discipline.  However, the legal regulations in the British legal system are more of a grey area than strictly implemented rules. Sweden was the first country to outrightly outlaw physical punishment of children in 1979.  Now more than 30 countries have banned corporal punishment, however with influential members of US state publically supporting spanking, mixed messages of morality are being sent out to not only parents but to children.

However, Elizabeth Gershoff a professor at The University of Texas who is known to be the leading researcher on spanking currently within the US has studied the form of discipline for the last 15 years and concluded "there's no study that I've ever done that's found a positive consequence of spanking." A study conducted by Gershoff based on research collated over two decades confirmed children that are spanked are more likely to display anxiety, depression, aggression and drug abuse.  

In fact, numerous studies have established the extremely damaging effects spanking has on a child. The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario conducted a study which evidence suggests such corporal punishment causes ‘cognitive impairment and long-term developmental difficulties,’ therefore decreasing a child’s IQ.

But not only do children suffer from developmental difficulties, mental  health is a significant consequence children face from being spanked by their parents. Darcia Narvaez Professor of Psychology studying the immense effects spanking has on children. A child’s relationship with their parent Is effected immeasurably by striking a child. Taking to physical abuse to punish a child not only undermines the trust a child has for their parent and thus means they mistrust trust others and their motives but it has proven to destroy a child’s mental health and therefore leading to an increase in criminal behaviour. From a young age children are easily influenced and look to their parents for guidance on how to behaviour in social setting, and parents physically punishing their children are not a positive example at all.

Despite these study results being openly published, a poll carried out by Parents.com found that 56% of parents admit to occasionally spanking their children.  Neo-Traditionalist, Domenick Maglio has outrageous view on the subject of spanking. “Outlawing any spanking because some parents could possibly harm their child also means we should make it illegal for parents to kiss their children as that might lead to incest.” It is these outdated views that are preventing the elimination of spanking and child abuse.  

Parents may begin by spanking their children as a form of discipline; however, this has the ability to lead to further more brutal forms of punishment. Collette Elliot experienced extreme abuse as a child and now as a parent herself, recalls the detrimental affects her treatment had on her even 20 years on.

“As a child I had to deal with three kinds of abuse  – physical, mental and sexual.  Of the three it was the mental abuse that was worst, because it has stayed with me. My life has been designed around the mental torture I endured.”

But whose responsibility is it to monitor the treatment of children in and out the home? Absolutely everyone’s. Charities such as the NSPCC provide helplines that offer support for those worried about a children and can offer information about child protection.

If you believe a child to be in immediate danger contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or call 999 for police assistance.  

ISIS Executing Children with Down Syndrome. Is History Repeating Itself?

Just yesterday we celebrated my cousins 18^th birthday it was such a milestone  for us all as he was born with Down Syndrome and I couldn’t help but have a dampener on my day when I read that ISIS have issued a fatwa (indicates a death sentence has been dealt to someone or some group of people,) which orders children with Down Syndrome and other disabilities to be killed.

 

 

More than 38 children born with deformities mentally and physically have already been murdered by lethal injection or suffocation.

 

This information was revealed by Iraqi activist group Mosul Eye, who claimed to have been monitoring the deaths of children with Down syndrome and congenital deformities, learnt of the ‘Oral Fatwa’ issued by the Shar’i Board of ISIL. The fatwa authorised its members to 'kill newborn babies with Down's Syndrome and congenital deformities and disabled children.'

 

This shocking treatment emulates that of Nazi torture practiced on those with disabilities during the Second World War. This is otherwise known as ‘Action T4.’  From August 1939 the Interior Ministry requested children and newborns with severe disabilities (i.e. Down Syndrome) must be reported and then killed by medical experts. Parents were told their children were being sent to ‘Special Sections’ where they would receive treatment. The deaths were recorded as pneumonia however; the children were murdered by an injection of toxic chemicals.

 

The history of the treatment of people with Down syndrome is just as shocking.

 

From 1CE to 1700’s society saw people with disabilities were lunatics and stupid which were possessed by the devil. Consequently, they were tortured and burnt at the stake

 

From 1800 to 1920 people with Down Syndrome were considered to be inferior and were therefore sent to insane asylums that had a reputation for physically abusing, neglecting and ridiculing their patients.

 

From the 1930’s to 1940’s it was believed that those with disabilities were polluting the human race.

 

From 1940 to 1970 publically, a German bishop delivered a sermon stating that the Nazi euthanasia was ‘plain murder.’ People with Down Syndrome were seen as unfortunate and thus institutionalized.

 

From 1970 to 2000’s showed a radically turn around for the social acceptance of disabled people. The Disability Rights Movement told society the problem was not with the individual but the environment.

 

This treatment is not only radically barbaric but utterly ridiculous considering 1 in 920 babies born today have Down Syndrome. It is sad to think that society is yet to completely accept minorities in society.

 

However, due to excellent scientific research and medical advances those with Down Syndromes’ life expectancy has risen and doubled by since 1970. Now people with Down Syndrome are expected to live beyond 60 years old.

 

Down Syndrome is categorized as a disability however this does not mean that those who have it cannot be independent and successful.

 

Angela Bachiller became the first person with Down Syndrome to be elected as councilwoman in 2013.

 

 

Melissa Reilly is known for being a gold medal winning skier, cyclist and swimmer, as well as having experience interning for a state senator. She also makes public appearances, speaking about how her disability hasn’t limited her.

 

 

 

Eli Reimer was the first person with Down Syndrome to hike to the Base Camp of Mount Everest in 2012.   

 

The most important aspect of Down Syndrome for not only myself but many others is society’s acceptance and understanding of people with not only Down Syndrome but all disabilities. Please share this with whoever you can, in order to further create awareness.