Global research reveals physical punishment can harm the growth of children around the world

A groundbreaking global analysis confirmed that spanking and other forms of physical discipline can lead to negative outcomes for children in developing countries, reflecting the discoveries of wealthier countries and challenging long-standing cultural assumptions about discipline.

A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Natural Behavior on May 5, 2025 examines 195 studies spanning 92 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), providing the clearest evidence to date that physical punishment can harm children’s development regardless of cultural background.

Universal harm between environments

A team led by Jorge Cuartas, assistant professor at Nyu Steinhardt, found that physical punishment was associated with negative consequences related to 16 of 19 examination results, and no positive impact was identified in any developmental area.

“Some scholars believe that physical punishment may have different effects in countries that are more common or more universal or socially norms, a view known as the cultural normative assumption,” Kurtas said. “However, the lack of data in low- and middle-income countries makes a full understanding of the balance between universality and context-specific physical punishment hazards during childhood.”

What impact does physical punishment have on children? This analysis showed significant correlation with the following methods.

• Parents’ relationship is worse
• In later life, the risk of experiencing and committing violence is increased
• Physical and mental health issues
• Higher substance use
• Poor academic performance and impaired language skills
• Reduce executive function and social emotional development
• Increase behavioral problems, including internalization (depression, withdrawal) and externalization (aggression) behaviors

Challenging cultural norms and policies

These findings directly contradict beliefs: In cultures where this practice is prevalent or considered normal, physical punishment may benefit children. This study has special significance for developing countries, where physical discipline remains a common practice – the prevalence rate is on average 63% compared to the low rates in high-income countries.

Despite the 2006 United Nations call for a ban on corporal punishment, adoption of such policies has been unbalanced globally. Although 65 countries have established full or partial bans, the distribution reveals a clear difference: 40% of high-income countries are prohibited, compared with only 8% of low-income countries.

Beyond cultural background: universal influence

Will the negative effects of spanking vary by region or cultural acceptance? The researchers examined the question directly, comparing geographical areas and environments that were more or less socially punished.

Although the size of the negative association varies slightly across regions, the direction remains consistent – regardless of cultural background or legal status, physical punishment is generally associated with negative outcomes. This finding presents a significant challenge to the “cultural normative hypothesis”, which is sometimes used to justify physical discipline in certain cultures.

“The consistency and strength of these findings suggest that physical punishment is generally harmful to children and adolescents. Moving forward, more research is needed to identify effective strategies to prevent physical punishment from being carried out around the world and to ensure children are protected from all forms of violence to support their healthy development,” Kurtas concluded.

Impact on global child protection

This study adds to growing evidence that protecting children from physical punishment should be a common priority, regardless of cultural or economic background. These findings are consistent with the position made by the World Health Organization that sees physical punishment as a specific risk to children’s health, and also the United Nations, which is regarded as a violation of the rights of children.

For policy makers and child welfare advocates, this study provides compelling evidence to support ongoing efforts to reduce physical penalties through legislation, education and parenting support programs, especially in areas where these practices are still broad and culturally.

What makes this study particularly powerful is how it addresses previous gaps in knowledge of physical discipline in different cultural contexts. By showing consistent harmful effects in various settings, it shows that protecting children from physical punishment is not only a Western value, but also a general need for the development of healthy children around the world.