Each year millions of children are disciplined by their parents with spanking and other types of physical punishment. In a recent survey of parents of young children, almost three-fourths said it is sometimes appropriate to spank children aged 1 to 3.

• But many researchers and child welfare professionals have seen the connections between physical discipline and adverse effects on children.
• Physical discipline has been linked in several studies to low self-esteem and other developmental problems in children.
• When a parent is willing to use physical discipline under normal circumstances, that parent may, in times of personal stress, cause serious harm to their child.

1. You're saying to the child that if you're bigger, it's OK to hit.
2. You're sending the message that the way to solve problems is through aggression.
3. Every time a child misbehaves, you have an opportunity to teach self-control through discipline. Spanking is aggression. All that children can learn from aggression is fear and anger.

Do you need ideas about how to discipline your children without spanking?

Parenting education programs and parents' support groups are available. If you are struggling with the demands of parenting, the Prevention Information Resource Center and Parent Helpline is available throughout New York State, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish, at 1-800-342-7472. Someone will listen to your concerns and give you information about programs and services that support parents and children.

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