Childhood Spanking and Alcohol Abuse-Study Says It's Linked, But Some Question Validity

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[chance33_98]

Childhood Spanking and Alcohol Abuse

Study Says It's Linked, But Some Question Validity

A Canadian study has shown a correlation between childhood spanking and later drug and alcohol abuse, but the validity of the findings are being questioned in some quarters.

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that children who are spanked are twice as likely to develop alcohol and drug abuse problems and engage in anti-social behavior when they grow up. More from your Guide below Advertisement

They also have a higher rate of anxiety disorders, the study said.

Dr. Harriet MacMillan, lead author of the study, said "There appears to be a linear association between the frequency of slapping and spanking during childhood and a lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse or dependence and externalizing problems.".

Political Agenda? The reason that the validity of the findings have been questioned by some is due in part to the timing of its release. There is a court case going on in Canada in which the Canadian Foundation for Youth and the Law has launched a constitutional challenge to Section 43 of the Criminal Code, which allows parents to physically discipline children. The case is scheduled to be heard in early December. In fact, Dr. MacMillan said in a news release, "My opinion is that Section 43 should be repealed because I believe it sanctions physical discipline of children."

But an opponent of the court challenge, had a different view. "We're always very suspicious of studies that come from the other side that predictably are looking for anything that could be construed as saying spanking leads to abuse," said Jim Sclater of the traditionalist group Focus on The Family (Canada) Association, which is intervening in the court case.

However, a majority of Canadians, including physicians, still think spanking is sometimes necessary, despite McMaster University's research, said Murray Straus, a leading American researcher on family issues, in a related editorial.

Flawed Premise? While MacMillan's observation of a "linear association" between spanking and later alcohol and drug abuse may be accurate, the conclusion that alcohol abuse is somehow "caused" by childhood spanking may be flawed in its logic. Other recent studies indicate that alcoholism may be linked to genetic factors and is therefore inherited. If alcoholics and addicts are "born" to become substance abusers, how does childhood spanking enter into the equation?

Could it be that twice as many alcohol and drug abusers were spanked as children because they were budding alcoholics or addicts already exhibiting signs of obsessive-compulsive behavior?

Perhaps the question is not does spanking cause alcohol and drug abuse, but rather do addictive personalities provoke spanking?!

[cyborg]

Poorly written article...full of junk pseudoscience

[armyboy]

Dr. Harriet MacMillan, lead author of the study, said "There appears to be a linear association between the frequency of slapping and spanking during childhood and a lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse or dependence and externalizing problems.".
When I was younger if acted up I was spanked or slapped, and I have none of these problems.

[chance33_98]

Indeed.

[Prime Choice]

Using this pseudoscientific approach, the claim can be made that every heroin junkie starts out on mother's milk.

*EHHNT* Do not pass go. Do not collect scientific legitimacy.

[inquest]

You got that right. I can tell you, having received more than one type of punishment over the course of my childhood, being sent to my room was a far harsher punishment for me than being spanked. I barely even remember spankings, though I know I received them. The less "painful" types of punishment stick out in my mind much more strongly.

[armyboy]

Dr. Harriet MacMillan, lead author of the study, said "There appears to be a linear association between the frequency of slapping and spanking during childhood and a lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse or dependence and externalizing problems.".
When I was younger if acted up I was spanked or slapped, and I have none of these problems.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Utter nonsense. I spanked all three kids and they're productive, beautiful people today. I'd stack them against anyone's kids. They're not druggies and not alcoholics either.

[cyborg]

I only remember my mother's 'look of death' now :)

[DoughtyOne]

Far more children have been affected adversely by neglect and non-structured childhoods. Children need guidance and structure. If they don't get it they'll act out until they do.

Unlike the adults that always run these studies, children know understand corporal punishment and understand the reason for it. It is when they do something very wrong and don't get punished that things go haywire.

Disdain for corporal punishment, strong prison sentences, moral relativism, dislike for capital punishment, explaining away Palestinian terrorism, tearing down our judicial statures by activist judges and the ACLU, it all goes hand in hand with anarchist desires to destroy western civilization.

Don't dismiss the connection. I believe it is very real.

[inquest]

For me it's the tone of voice more than anything else.

[cyborg]

The flow of the article was weird but ok. I noticed they mentioned Focus on the Family. Dobson has a book called the Strong Willed Child (which addresses some of these issues).

[longtermmemmory]

1. Canadian Junk science not just junk science.

2. Correlation does not equal causation.

I bet there is a correlation of people with Driver's licenses and drunk driving.

Sounds like more "its not my faultism". I know lets try this defense before a jury in a DUI/DWI trial.

[The American Man]

They need to look at the stability and consistency of the parents and proper structure at home. Spanking, done in the proper context, may even be helpful in some cases. Spanking/ punishment done, in an abusive way, may lead to some form of self abuse: this is logical. Children that develop anxiety disorder often have unstable parent(s). Alcohol/drug abuse is a family disease. The problem I have is that there is a right way, and a wrong way, to punish children. To just say “spanking,” without context, is meaningless.

[Agnes Heep]

If that's the case, every single kid from my generation grew up to be an alcoholic.

[LadyDoc]

FYI: Some cultures do NOT spank...and they aer known for their pacifism.

For example, American Indians traditionally do not spank.

And Japanese do not spank either...

Nor do Bantus in Africa...

These cultures use shame to correct children, and instead of "letting it all hang out" i.e. showing anger, encourage children into self control and holding in their anger.

So you have quiet children and societies that don't show anger or arguments--but that periodically break out in riots, wars, and massacres...

[DH]

Does this mean that all mankind, from the dawning of time until the early 60's were (and are) drunks and dopers?

It's good to know that everyone born after the mid-60's is drug and alchol free.

[zook]

As Orwell said (I think), only an intellectual could believe such nonsense.

[GailA]

Bull..I spanked all three of my boys when necessary. I neither drink or do drugs.