{"id":55911,"date":"2007-11-17T21:13:00","date_gmt":"2007-11-18T03:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=55911"},"modified":"2022-11-17T21:16:14","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T03:16:14","slug":"does-spanking-cause-lower-iq-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-spanking-cause-lower-iq-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Spanking Cause Lower IQ in Children?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\tby Sam Stinson\n

“He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently<\/em>” (Proverbs 13:24).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I like to think that most scientific studies are not politically motivated. However, when I read about studies like the following, I’m forced to rethink this belief. A study recently presented by the International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma alleges that parents who observe the practice of spanking their children actually do a disservice because spanking has the long-term effect of reducing the IQ of the child. As reported by the LA Times<\/em>, “The relationship between spanking and intelligence is found in children around the world, said the lead author of the study, University of New Hampshire professor Murray Straus. Children in the United States who were spanked had lower IQs — by 2.8 to 5 points — than those who were not spanked, Straus found. Straus studied 806 children ages 2 to 4 and 704 ages 5 to 9. Both groups were retested four years later. How often parents spanked influenced IQ score. ‘The more spanking, the slower the development of the child’s mental ability,’ Straus said in a news release. ‘But even small amounts of spanking made a difference.'”<\/p>\n

Let’s consider the flaws in this experiment. First, intelligence varies from person to person and is not determined by any one factor. Second, associating physical punishment with a later quality of intelligence does not accurately represent other factors that influence intelligence such as education and training. Third, simply because someone who was spanked has a lower IQ does not necessarily imply that all those who are spanked have a lower IQ. It is important to note that following this presentation Straus went on to suggest that the United States enact laws that prohibit spanking.<\/p>\n

Now, I’m not for needless violence, especially against those who are most defenseless. Those who abuse and beat their children under the guise of discipline are not following the Proverbs 13:24 mandate given above but are like Satan trying to be disguised in a garb of an angel of light. But prohibiting the practice of spanking for all based on its abuse by some does not necessarily follow. Some discipline of children involves putting them in time out, talking with them and giving verbal reprimands, and removing privileges or giving good privileges based on improved behavior. That being said, there is a time and place when physical contact is important in disciplining children else the word of God would not have mentioned it. Actions carry consequences. Physical contact is an experience that takes hold of a child’s attention and if administered with love is one that child will not soon forget, especially if the lesson saves the child’s life at a later time. Politically-motivated studies aside, isn’t that a benefit we want for our children? Christian parent, please continue to judiciously discipline your child: “Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy<\/em>” (Ecclesiastes 7:3).<\/p>\n

Additional Note:<\/h2>\n

Straus has been caught repeatedly manipulating data and creating questionable studies in vain attempts to “prove” spanking is harmful. He isn’t a reputable researcher. He is a fanatical opponent of spanking who sees the ends as justification for his means.<\/p>\n

Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Sam Stinson “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently” (Proverbs 13:24). I like to think that most scientific studies are not politically motivated. However, when I read about studies like the following, I’m forced to rethink this belief. A study recently presented by the International…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,1031,1028],"tags":[665,106,29,107,108],"class_list":["post-55911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","category-childhood","category-parenting","tag-child-rearing","tag-discipline","tag-parenting","tag-raising-children","tag-spanking"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17106,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/one-of-my-boys-is-starting-to-wet-his-pants-when-i-give-him-a-spanking-what-should-i-do\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":0},"title":"One of my boys is starting to wet his pants when I give him a spanking. What should I do?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 28, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a problem with one of my boys. A few times he has had a wet spot when being spanked. At first, I was shocked and thought I was overdoing the spanking and from the pain of the spanking that he had lost control, but it was not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11693,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-advice-should-we-give-our-children-in-receiving-a-spanking\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":1},"title":"What advice should we give our children in receiving a spanking?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 24, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Your site gives plenty of very helpful advice to parents about how to administer a spanking. We have three boys. We have spanked them before but not as consistently as we should have. Because of their recent behavior we have determined to start spanking consistently and with no excuses.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1880,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-a-childs-pants-be-taken-down-for-a-spanking\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":2},"title":"Should a child’s pants be taken down for a spanking?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 2, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I want to ask, please, if it's good to take down the pants of a seven-year-old child for a spanking. Answer: When disciplining a child, spanking is not the only option available to a parent. Often, when parenting is done well, spankings will only be needed infrequently. Raising a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Parenting"","block_context":{"text":"Parenting","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/parenting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13965,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-bare-bottom-spankings-necessary\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":3},"title":"Are bare-bottom spankings necessary?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 24, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I'm glad I came across your website and read so many things from other dads of older boys. I'm a single dad of a 13-year-old boy. I've been needing to spank him for his improper attitude, but I have been very afraid to. Mostly because I'm uptight about male\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Adolescence"","block_context":{"text":"Adolescence","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/parenting\/adolescence\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2868,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-spanking-a-thirteen-year-old-child-illegal\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":4},"title":"Is spanking a thirteen-year-old child illegal?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 22, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is spanking a thirteen-year-old child illegal? Answer: As of this writing, spanking remains legal in all fifty states of the United States. Almost all state statutes state that a parent or guardian can use reasonable and appropriate force to maintain discipline and to promote the well-being of a child's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33128,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/i-want-to-compliment-you-on-your-answers-on-spanking\/","url_meta":{"origin":55911,"position":5},"title":"I want to compliment you on your answers on spanking","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 6, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Sir, I wanted to compliment you on your answers on spanking. I am not a believer in any faith, but I have my own feeling about morality and social beliefs. I keep hearing about \"all these religious people who beat their kids.\" Well, I was spanked as a boy,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55911\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}