A common thought is that children will become weak and vulnerable if they are not physically punished. So, in many countries, parents and teachers are still allowed to smack young students. In a few countries, punishments can be even more severe.

Nevertheless, many psychologists argue that corporal punishment – hurting the child by hitting them – has long term psychological effects and affects their schooling.

Who is right? It is hard to test because researchers are of course not allowed to put children into two situations, one where they are hit and one where they do not. 

However, three Canadian professors – Victoria Talwar, Stephaie Carlson and Kang Lee – compared children from two similar schools in a West African country. In one, the children were disciplined in front of their classmates by beating with a stick or slapping of the head if they, for example, were too noisy in class. 

Children from the school that had banished corporal punishment did best having developed … the ability to control their own behaviour

In the other school, the children were told off by the teacher or sent out of the classroom to spend some time alone – a time-out as it is known. Having broken the rules, which were explained to them, they were thus encouraged to self-reflect.

The researchers were interested if this difference in punishment practices affected the children’s brain development, in particular the ability to control their thoughts, actions and emotions. So they tested students from both schools.

Children from the school which had banned corporal punishment did best, having developed the self-control necessary to adapt to new rules and standards. This method of discipline apparently encouraged positive, long-term change.

Their counterparts in the other school, on the other hand, beaten instead for the same offences, were less likely, the researchers suggested, to develop the same ability to control their own behaviour.