The prevalence of corporal punishment in Australia : Findings from a nationally representative survey
Journal article
Haslam, Divna, Malacova, Eva, Higgins, Daryl John, Meinck, Franziska, Mathews, Ben, Thomas, Hannah J, Finkelhor, David, Havighurst, Sophie S., Pacella, Rosana, Erskine, Holly E, Scott, James G. and Lawrence, David. (2024). The prevalence of corporal punishment in Australia : Findings from a nationally representative survey. Australian Journal of Social Issues. 59, pp. 580-604. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.301
Authors | Haslam, Divna, Malacova, Eva, Higgins, Daryl John, Meinck, Franziska, Mathews, Ben, Thomas, Hannah J, Finkelhor, David, Havighurst, Sophie S., Pacella, Rosana, Erskine, Holly E, Scott, James G. and Lawrence, David |
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Abstract | Corporal punishment is associated with adverse outcomes; however, little empirical data exists about the state of corporal punishment in Australia. This paper presents the first national prevalence estimates of experiences of corporal punishment during childhood among Australians and its use as adults by Australian parents and caregivers. We also report community beliefs about the necessity of corporal punishment. Results show corporal punishment remains common in Australia. A high proportion of Australians (62.5%) experienced corporal punishment in childhood, including almost 6 in 10 (58.4%) young people aged 16–24. Approximately half of all parents surveyed (53.7%) had used corporal punishment. A quarter of Australians (26.4%) believe corporal punishment is necessary to raise children, 73.6% do not view it as necessary. The use of corporal punishment and belief in its necessity are lower among younger people. Findings indicate the experience of corporal punishment remains unacceptably high in Australia but that the use of corporal punishment and beliefs about its necessity may be changing. These findings have significant implications for policy and practice in Australia. Changes in legislation could reduce this form of violence toward children. Relatively low rates of endorsement of the necessity of corporal punishment suggest the Australian community may be receptive to attempts for law reform in this area. |
Keywords | beliefs; corporal punishment; parenting; prevalence; violence |
Year | 01 Jan 2024 |
Journal | Australian Journal of Social Issues |
Journal citation | 59, pp. 580-604 |
Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc. (US) |
ISSN | 1839-4655 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.301 |
Web address (URL) | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajs4.301 |
Open access | Open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 580-604 |
Author's accepted manuscript | File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 24 Nov 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 23 Oct 2023 |
Deposited | 14 Nov 2024 |
Additional information | © 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Social Issues published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Social Policy Association. |
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. | |
Place of publication | Australia |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/910yv/the-prevalence-of-corporal-punishment-in-australia-findings-from-a-nationally-representative-survey
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Publisher's version
OA_Higgins_2023_The_prevalence_of_corporal_punishment_in.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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