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Physical punishment

Whether you would ever spank or hit a child as discipline, from never to occasionally to routinely. It is one of the clearest areas where medical bodies give a firm recommendation.

Should we ever spank our child?

In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: Never, as a firm rule (AAP, CPS, APA, WHO); Never, but not a moral absolute; Rare "back-up" swat for defiance or danger; Regular tool. Evidence: well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. Best settled: toddler.

Evidence
Well established
Best settled
Toddler
Part of
Raising the child

Physical punishment: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 4 approaches.

  1. 1. Never, as a firm rule (AAP, CPS, APA, WHO)

    You never hit or spank, and treat that as a fixed rule, as pediatric bodies advise.

  2. 2. Never, but not a moral absolute

    You do not spank, but you do not see it as a moral line.

  3. 3. Rare "back-up" swat for defiance or danger

    You would use a light smack rarely, when a child defies you or is in danger.

  4. 4. Regular tool

    You use spanking as an ordinary form of discipline.

Physical punishment: what does the evidence say?

Well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. (Settled in guidance)

A meta-analysis of 160,927 children found no evidence spanking improves compliance and consistent links to worse outcomes; a minority argues the effect is trivial after controls. The AAP advises against spanking, hitting, slapping, threatening, insulting, humiliating or shaming, and cites injury risk (especially under 18 months), more aggression and damage to the parent-child relationship. WHO lists lasting mental, cognitive and physical harms and recommends legal prohibition; 67 countries ban it entirely, but Canada is not one: Criminal Code section 43 still permits reasonable force by a parent, and a repeal bill died when Parliament dissolved in 2025

Sources

What else is worth knowing?

Major pediatric and psychological bodies advise against any physical punishment, and research links it to more aggression and worse behavior over time, not better. Many adults were spanked themselves and feel differently about it. This is worth settling clearly, because it tends to come up in moments of anger.

Questions to ask each other

  • What did you experience as a child, and how did it feel?
  • Is there any situation where we think hitting is acceptable?
  • What would we do instead when we are very angry?

More in Discipline and behavior

First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.