NCJ Number
133579
Date Published
1980
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A review of research literature and interviews with delinquents support the belt theory which asserts that parents who have used corporal punishment are likely to produce children who are involved in delinquent behavior.
Abstract
All the delinquent youths who were interviewed by the author regarded corporal punishment as necessary in child rearing; most were convinced that the beatings they received prevented them from committing homicide. The intensity of the violent parental discipline may also match the child's level of aggression. Thus, normal parents can expect to have aggressive children in proportion to the degree they discipline their children physically. The use of the belt appears to be effective as a disciplinary measure because it produces enough fear to end the unwanted behavior temporarily. However, as the fear decreases, aggression remains. The two basic responses to the threat of pain are fight and flight; females tend to run away, and males are more apt to commit aggressive crimes. Cross-cultural studies also support this theory. Thus, efforts to reduce juvenile violence must focus on the family; corporal punishment must be rejected, and schools must change their disciplinary policies. 37 references