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The “slap in the butt”, the slap in the face: this is considered legitimate by many in raising children, according to a survey by UNICEF and the Ulm University Hospital. Acceptance of physical violence is particularly high among the elderly and men.
Apparently, almost one in two people in Germany consider physical violence against children appropriate. This was the result of a survey conducted by the University Hospital of Ulm on behalf of the German Association for Child Protection and UNICEF.
About half of the respondents considered a “pat on the back” appropriate. One in two of the 2,500 respondents agreed that a slap on the butt had never hurt a child. According to the survey, a slap in the face is fine for about 23 percent.
The proportion of people who use violence in their education or consider it appropriate has decreased significantly since 2000. In the meantime, however, a plateau has been reached, as said Jörg M. Fegert, director of the department of child and adolescent psychiatry / psychotherapy Ulm University Hospital.
Gender and age are decisive factors
So-called corporal punishment is more likely to favor men than women. Age is also a factor. 65 percent of those surveyed over 60 thought the “slap on the butt” was appropriate, while those under 31 agreed with 45 percent.
Overall, the study on attitudes towards corporal punishment and parenting behavior of parents showed that the extent and negative consequences of psychological violence against children in particular are largely underestimated to this day. According to researchers, the proportion of people who use violence in their education or consider it appropriate has decreased in the last 20 years. However, lighter corporal punishment, in particular, continues to be more widespread “among a terrifying section of the German population”, as the initiators of the investigation explained.
Those who experience violence become violent themselves
The research revealed, among other things, that respondents with their own experience of violence in childhood are more likely to accept corporal punishment in their upbringing than people who grew up without violence. The probability of agreeing with the statement “A slap on the butt has never hurt a child” is almost 16 times higher for the group with their own physical violence than for other people.
In view of the results of the study, the initiators called for awareness of everyday violence against children and the right to non-violent education to be implemented at all levels of society. It is necessary to strengthen the rights of the child by including them in the Basic Law, sustained awareness campaigns on the scope and consequences of violence against children and a better situation of data. For the research, a research team from the Ulm Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Psychotherapy interviewed 2,500 representatively selected individuals in the spring.
The initiative offers help for children “Number against pain” on the Internet and on the phone 116111.
