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01-04-2013 | PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES TOWARD CHILD ABUSE AND PUNISHMENT

Corporal Punishment: Examining Attitudes Toward the Law and Factors Influencing Attitude Change

Authors: Elisa Romano, Tessa Bell, Rick Norian

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

There remains considerable societal support for child corporal punishment, despite much research about its ineffectiveness and potential harm to children. We examined attitudes toward Section 43 of the Canadian Criminal Code which gives parents the right to use reasonable physical force for discipline purposes. We also examined attitude change and predictors of this change. Participants (N = 212) completed an on-line study, which found that 39.2 % disagreed with ending Section 43. Upon presentation of corporal punishment-related information, the majority (63.8–70.5 %) now indicated being in favor of ending Section 43. Attitude change was highest for information on the potential for child abuse. Socio-demographics (ethnicity, religion), childhood disciplinary experiences (non-punitive discipline), and discipline perceptions (parental warmth/involvement) predicted attitude change. Results indicate that providing information about corporal punishment is key to changing attitudes toward parents’ legal right to its use. Also, parental background and childhood discipline characteristics may differentially influence the amount of attitude change.

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Title: Corporal Punishment: Examining Attitudes Toward the Law and Factors Influencing Attitude Change
Authors: Elisa Romano
Tessa Bell
Rick Norian
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-013-9494-0

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Corporal Punishment: Examining Attitudes Toward the Law and Factors Influencing Attitude Change

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