Providing a wide spectrum of views, the authors explore the fine line
between normalized physical punishment and illegal or unacceptable
physical and emotional abuse of children. It builds on the emerging
field of research that provides opportunities for children to speak for
themselves about their views and experiences.
- Provides observations from children, professionals and several
generations from within individual families
- Discusses the power of language used by parents, professionals and the
media to describe physical punishment
- Reflects upon the status of children in societies that sanction their
physical punishment, motivations and justifications for its use,
perceptions of its effectiveness, and its impact
- Presents a combination of personal, social, legal, and language
factors which provide significant new insights and suggest ways to
move forward