Is it okay to slap a child to discipline him? this is what the experts say

Apart from caring for and loving their children, parents also need to discipline their children. The reason is, children often make mistakes by showing naughty behavior. For example, lazy to do homework, don't want to eat, or don't remember the time to play. Apart from giving advice, parents can slap their children in certain situations. However, can this method be applied to discipline children? Come on, hear the explanations of the following experts.

Experts say about parents slapping children

Educating children is a big challenge for parents. When children make mistakes, corporal punishment is often used as a way to discipline them. Not only hitting with your hands or objects, slapping is also a form of physical punishment. Likewise with biting or throwing an object at the child's body.

Discipline by giving physical punishment like this is usually applied when the wrong done by the child has crossed the tolerance limit or is done repeatedly. However, it can also be applied to parents who do embrace corporal punishment as a way to educate their children. However, is it okay to slap a child every now and then when he's really naughty?

In a report published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, Michelle Knox, a professor of psychiatry at Toledo University, presents her views. Knox explained that hitting or giving physical punishment is the first step that can make someone abuse or abuse children.

If parents do physical punishment every time they want to discipline their children, this cycle will continue. Parents will get used to doing this action in the hope that the child will be deterred and will not repeat the mistake. Day by day, the form of punishment will increase and without realizing it can have a bad impact on children's health.

The negative impact of slapping or hitting a child

Giving slaps or beatings that can injure a child, including in acts of violence. In addition to injuries to the body, this action can have a negative impact on his mental health. The negative effects that may arise if you apply this method to discipline children include:

1. Damage to the relationship between children and parents

Slapping or hitting the child may stop the bad behavior by the child. However, in the long run it can damage the relationship you have with your child. The more often the parents do the punishment, the more difficult it will be for the child to be told even against you.

2. Emotional and psychological problems

Studies show that children who experience violence tend to have problems expressing their emotions. They will get angry more easily, act rude, feel depressed, get anxious more easily, and even use illegal drugs as a way to calm down.

3. Teach children to do the same

Parents are role models for their children. Whatever parents do, usually children will do in the future. The child will think that the act of violence is a way to solve problems.

If parents are accustomed to slapping or hitting as a way of disciplining children, the child will do the same in the future. Whether it's friends, other people, or their children when they have a family later.

Then, what should parents do?

The delinquency committed by children is indeed a test of your patience. However, you should not even use violence to deter him. Compared to hitting or slapping a child, there are many other ways you can punish your child. For example, cutting off his allowance, asking him to do housework, or other, more positive punishments.

Although almost all parents agree that hitting or slapping children should not be done, some of them still let go and do it. Especially when parents feel very angry.

To overcome this, all you need is to control your anger and apply methods time out . This is a way of disciplining children by giving children space and time to reflect on mistakes so they don't do the same thing the next time. Consult a doctor or child psychologist if you are still having trouble disciplining your child.