Physical Punishment in Childhood
The Rights of the Child

"How refreshing to see this topic thoughtfully discussed from the child’s point of view. Using the voices of children, parents and professionals Bernadette Saunders and Chris Goddard demonstrate that children have a right to live in environments where they are loved, nurtured and valued rather than in an environment where their development is overshadowed by the fear of physical punishment. An important book."
—Kim Oates, MD DSc, FRCP FRACP, Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney

"This is an excellent comprehensive account, not only of the issues relating to physical punishment, but of the views and feelings of parents and children about it. It should be compulsory reading for those who are concerned with overcoming this problem because of the insights it gives into the motivation of parents and others who continue to use physical punishment of children. Importantly it stresses the need for education and support and confirms my view that any legal solution should be seen as part of that education process."
—The Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC, Former Chief Justice, Family Court of Australia; Chair, National Centre Against Bullying (Australia); Patron of EPOCH, Tasmania; Honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne

Bernadette J. Saunders (Author), Chris Goddard (Author)

9780470682562, Wiley

Hardback, published 15 January 2010

288 pages
23.6 x 16.4 x 2.2 cm, 0.595 kg

"Publications such as...Physical Punishment in Childhood should help to educate professionals and the public, and advance the cause of children's rights in the United States and the world." (PsycCRITIQUES, December 2010)

"It provides a very good summary of the history, language, impact and legal responses to physical punishment of children in Sweden and various English-speaking countries, with particular attention to Australia, the authors' country of residence. The strength and real contribution of the book lies, however, in the presentation of the views of children-voices that are generally not heard in the debate about this contentious issue though they are the ones who bear the brunt of this form of punishment. In this book, they are given equal standing with those of the adults-the parents and the professionals." (Child Abuse Review, 2010)

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

Acknowledgements ix

Subject Areas: Psychology [JM]