Scolding Kids Harms as Much as Hitting, Study Says

Yahoo ^ | 10/1/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

When parents are driven mad by badly behaved children, most do not smack them and instead give them a telling-off. But verbal abuse could be as harmful as beating, according to new Danish research.

Psychologists have long known that children who have been beaten are prone to low self-esteem and insecurity in later life. Little research has been done, though, into the effects of scolding.

"The feeling of self-respect is hurt when you are punished in one way or another," said Erik Sigsgaard, the researcher into teaching at the Danish Center for Research in Institutions, who carried out the study.

As part of the study, children at a nursery were observed and interviewed in the 1994-2002 period.

More than half said they hated to be shouted at and believed the grown-up was still angry with them, even long afterwards.

The children often felt upset even when parents and teachers did not think they had scolded them, the study showed.

"You can't say that it's better to scold your child than to beat it. When you punish a child you give it the feeling that it isn't worth anything," Sigsgaard told Reuters.

One boy said that scolding is when somebody beats you with his voice. Children see little difference between physical and verbal violence, Sigsgaard said.

Damaged self-esteem, problems in relating to others and forming close relationships are the most common problems faced by abused children.

Although parental smacking has become less common, and even illegal in some countries, most parents and teachers shout at disobedient children, both in private and in public.

According to the United Nation's child rights convention, children have the right to protection from physical and psychological violence and abuse.

Sigsgaard advised parents to tell their children their opinion in a normal voice without shouting.

"Parents who want to keep a close relation with their children should not scold too much, or they will soon be alone. It's silly because we are pushing away what is dearest to us."

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

WIPE THE SMILE OFF OF THIS MAN’S FACE.
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[SouthernFreebird]

OMG!! I think I'm gonna hurl.

[egarvue]

Three words:

Mushy-

Headed.

Liberals.

[Frank_Discussion]

Barf Alert!

[Captainpaintball]

OK, so don't do anything when your kid acts up. In fact, buy them a video game, or the latest 'R' rated DVD and tell them they're 'special.'

[homeschool mama]

All those who agree with this study should be slapped upside the head.

[dead]

Scalding kids harms as much as hitting.

[KC_Conspirator]

Don't you understand? All forms of punishment are bad. That is why we must let the criminals out of prison...

[X-Servative]

"You can't say that it's better to scold your child than to beat it. When you punish a child you give it the feeling that it isn't worth anything," Sigsgaard told Reuters.

What do you expect from people who refer to a child as 'it."

[Jaded]

When parents are driven mad by badly behaved children, most do not smack them and instead give them a telling-off. But verbal abuse could be as harmful as beating, according to new Danish research.

And they wonder why we call them names. It obviously hasn't hurt their self-esteem, they keep coming up with this crap. The researchers have probably never had any experience with humans outside of the lab.

[Aggie Mama]

Gosh, no kidding. What a bunch of idiots. We've never had to spank DS, because yelling at him works just fine. What a bunch of idiots. There's a huge difference b/w discipline and abuse.

[Huck]

The study recommends a new form of discipline. When a child misbehaves, parents should immerse their child up to the shoulders in a vat of lukewarm gelatin. They should light candles and put on an Enya CD. Incense should be lit. Then the parents should leave the child with a Playstation 2, go into a private room away from the child and flagellate themselves. Repeat as necessary.

[A2J]

Yahoo should be scolded for promulgating this trash.

[Texaggie79]

Any Aggie kid that was never scolded sure has a surprise waiting for him in the Core. hehe

[dead]

When I yell at my kid, the words aren't even finished coming out of my mouth and he's already forgotten that I said anything.

[Aggie Mama]

scold your child than to beat it.

What ever happened to using "he" and "she" or even "they". Since when are children "its".

[Drango]

Sigsgaard advised parents to tell their children their opinion in a normal voice without shouting.

Said in a very normal voice~~~~Sigsgaard,you are an idiot!

[dd5339]

So you can't physically discipline your children anymore.

Now you can't scold them or it will damage their self esteem. What in the world are we supposed to do?

Oh that's right, we should let them do whatever they want. That way they will grow up to be mindless liberals!

Somedays I just can't believe the stuff the "experts" come out with.

Semper Fi

[A2J]

Don't you understand? All forms of punishment are bad. That is why we must let the criminals out of prison...

...so they can vote for the Democrats.