Physical discipline of children remains common worldwide

Thirty years ago, the United Nations ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child - basic human rights and protection for children. However, physical discipline of children in the home, such as smacking, slapping and beating, is still occurring.

Pediatric researchers at the University of North Carolina in America maintain that one of the problems with corporal punishment is that it isn't effective at changing behaviour. Desmond Runyan, a pediatrician, says it just teaches them to be more aggressive.

They looked at the extent of corporal punishment of children in many countries and determined that "the more years of education [of mothers], the lower the rate of harsh physical punishment." In addition, in countries that imposed a ban on corporal punishment of children, the rates of physical abuse had dropped. "The passing of the anti-corporal punishment law and then maybe the policy, and the media, and the research support that comes with the passage of those laws reinforces further declines in corporal punishment."

But, only 24 of the 193 signatories to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child have banned corporal punishment for children outright. Such a total ban isn't necessary to sign onto the law.

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