Guest: Celeste Rushby - Parenting Coach, Occupational Therapist, Owner of Munchkins Parenting

Corporal or physical punishment of children is highly prevalent, both in homes and schools. Globally, an estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 years are subjected to corporal punishment at home each year. In some countries, almost all students report being physically punished by school staff. The risk of being physically punished is similar for boys and girls, and for children from wealthy and poor households. Evidence shows corporal punishment harms children’s physical and mental health, increases behavioural problems over time, and has no positive outcomes.

All corporal punishment, however mild or light, carries an inbuilt risk of escalation. Studies suggest that parents who used corporal punishment are at heightened risk of perpetrating severe maltreatment. Corporal punishment is linked to a range of negative outcomes for children across countries and cultures, including physical and mental ill-health, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, increased aggression and perpetration of violence.