Commentary: Changing the Social Norm about Corporal Punishment

Vaughan-Eden, Viola; Holden, George W.; LeBlanc, Stacie Schrieffer

doi:10.1007/s10560-018-0592-y

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Yet, social norms can and do change (Klika & Linkenbach, 2019;Vaughan-Eden et al, 2019). Through a multidimensional and coherent strategy, faith leaders in Canada could play a strategic role in addressing the normalization of violence against children.…”

Section: Concrete Strategies To Address the Social Normalization Of V...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Decolonizing Discipline: The Normalization of Violence Against Children, Church Parties to the Settlement Agreement, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 6

Michaelson

2023

Can J Child Rights

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Corporal punishment is a unique, but common, form of violence against children in Canada because along with being legally protected, it is also often socially normalized. Faith leaders have played an important role in this process by, over centuries, animating interpretations of sacred texts that are rooted in colonial patterns of power and control. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 6 urges the Repeal of Section 43 of Canada’s Criminal Code. One contributing factor to blocking progress on this Call to Action is the amplification of colonial Christian interpretations of sacred texts that normalize violence against children and that are rooted in colonial-shaped ideas about gender roles and power. Repeal of Section 43 is a substantive piece of a clear decolonizing strategy. It concretely addresses violence towards children and reshapes society in the best interests of all children.

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Section: Concrete Strategies To Address the Social Normalization Of V...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Decolonizing Discipline: The Normalization of Violence Against Children, Church Parties to the Settlement Agreement, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 6

Michaelson

2023

Can J Child Rights

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“…Examples of successful efforts to change social norms include issues such as infant car seats and child seat belts, no smoking zones, impaired driving, and helmet wearing. While societal changes usually happen slowly and in stages, attitudes towards these behaviours have changed relatively dramatically, due largely to intentional education initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and legislation (e.g., [ 17 , 46 , 47 ]). There is not one overarching formula changing social norms, but research suggests multifaceted strategies that utilize credible messengers from within the targeted group are crucial.…”

Section: A Framework For Changing Social Norms Around Corporal Punish...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Corporal punishment remains the most common form of violence against children in Canada. Along with being legally permitted, it is made socially acceptable through cultural and social norms often disguised as discipline [ 17 ]. Paraphrases of Judeo-Christian sacred texts such as “spare the rod; spoil the child” have been widely used to justify corporal punishment, and to create norms around the idea that it is a god-given responsibility of parents to inflict corporal punishment on their children “for their own good.” Physical punishment is then not only an acceptable part of raising children but can be a godly duty.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ending the Social Normalization of Violence against Children in Canada: A Framework, Rationale, and Appeal to Canadian Faith Leaders

Michaelson

Ensom

2022

IJERPH

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Corporal punishment remains the most common form of violence against children in Canada. Along with being legally permitted, it is made socially acceptable through cultural and social norms often disguised as discipline. Paraphrases of Judeo-Christian sacred texts such as “spare the rod; spoil the child” have been widely used to justify corporal punishment, and to create norms around the idea that it is a god-given responsibility of parents to inflict corporal punishment on their children “for their own good.” Corporal punishment is then not only an acceptable part of raising children but can be a godly duty. Though Canada is a secular country, this social norm provides a moral hegemony under which violence becomes the status quo and has proven very difficult to change. In this commentary, we outline the ways that Christian religion has contributed to social norms around corporal punishment. We then argue that religious leaders have an opportunity—and moral responsibility—to contribute to change. We conclude with insights from social norms theory and offer evidence-based recommendations for ways forward that could help shift attitudes around corporal punishment in order to decrease its prevalence and harm. While each of these issues has been written about extensively in isolation, this commentary offers an analysis of these matters together under one umbrella. By making this relationship between Christianity and the social norms that propagate corporal punishment more visible, we draw attention to the role leaders in Christian churches could play in disrupting the social acceptance of violence against our youngest Canadian citizens. We provide a practical and evidence-based framework, rationale, and appeal to Canadian faith leaders to use their influence to add momentum to a critical health, rights—and religion—issue in Canada.

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“…The third pertains to the view that CP is not associated with physical abuse and thus is harmless to children. Finally, attitudes and collective norms supporting CP have been reinforced through generations, which are difficult to change (Klika et al, 2019; Vaughan-Eden et al, 2018).…”

Section: Prevalence and Outcomes Of Corporal Punishmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood Experiences and Attitudes toward Corporal Punishment: The Mediating Role of Perceived Efficacy of Alternative Discipline Strategies among Low-income Black, Hispanic, and White Parents

Duong

2021

J Interpers Violence

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Corporal punishment (CP) is associated with harmful outcomes to child development. Favorable attitudes toward CP are a major predictor of CP use. Thus, identifying and changing factors influencing such attitudes help to prevent CP. Although research has confirmed the effect of childhood experiences of CP on attitudes toward CP, few studies have examined mechanisms underpinning this association. To fill this gap, this study investigated the role of perceived efficacy of alternative discipline strategies in mediating the association between childhood experiences of CP and attitudes toward CP among low-income Black, Hispanic, and White parents. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 230 parents ( Mage = 31; Black = 62, Hispanic = 62; White = 106). Structural equation modeling results revealed that more positive childhood experiences of CP were associated with lower perceived efficacy of alternative discipline strategies. In turn, lower perceived efficacy of alternative discipline strategies was associated with more favorable attitudes toward CP. Mediation analysis performed by the bootstrapping methods confirmed the mediating effect of perceived efficacy of alternative discipline strategies. When race was considered, this mediation pathway was held for Hispanic and White parent groups. These results suggested that future research should pay more attention to the role of perceived efficacy of alternative discipline strategies. Additionally, public education campaigns should consider incorporating efficacy messages to effectively reduce positive attitudes toward CP among low-income parents.

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Commentary: Changing the Social Norm about Corporal Punishment

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Decolonizing Discipline: The Normalization of Violence Against Children, Church Parties to the Settlement Agreement, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 6

Decolonizing Discipline: The Normalization of Violence Against Children, Church Parties to the Settlement Agreement, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 6

Ending the Social Normalization of Violence against Children in Canada: A Framework, Rationale, and Appeal to Canadian Faith Leaders

Childhood Experiences and Attitudes toward Corporal Punishment: The Mediating Role of Perceived Efficacy of Alternative Discipline Strategies among Low-income Black, Hispanic, and White Parents

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