A latest study shows as many as 30 percent of babies in the U.S. were spanked by their parents.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that 30 percent of babies aged one were spanked at least once in the past month by their mother, father or both parents.
For the study, the researchers examined 2,788 families who participated in a longitudinal study of new births in urban areas. The results showed that spanking by the child's mother, father or mother's current partner when the baby was 1-year-old was associated with involvement of child protective services. During that time, 10 percent of the families received at least one visit by CPS.
Shawna Lee and Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, U-M social work professors, said that spanking babies is particularly misguided and potentially harmful. It may also set off a flow of inappropriate parental behavior.
Spanking is a common practice in the U.S. Past researches have focused on disciplining children as young as age 3, in part, because spanking is common among children of this age. Past studies showed that it leads to aggression, depression and other negative behaviour in children.
But the latest findings show that spanking is used on children who are so young that, in some cases, they haven't even taken their first step.
"Intervention to reduce or eliminate spanking has the potential to contribute to the well-being of families and children who are at-risk of becoming involved with the (social services) system," Lee said in a press release.
A recent study stated that using harsh verbal language with children for discipline can cause similar harm as spanking.
