Research indicates that children of non-spanking parents tend to control their behavior on the basis of what is right or wrong. Spanked children control their behavior to avoid being hit. They see parents as having the major responsibility for children conforming to proper standards. In contrast, children with nurturing, non-spanking parents tend to adopt parental standards and to assume the responsibility for checking on their own behavior. What this all means is that if parents avoid spanking and use alternatives to physical punishment, they are likely to have children who are easier to manage and better behaved.
Most people think the opposite is true.
Another finding was that the more corporal punishment experienced, the greater the alienation. Also, holding constant social class of origin, those who experienced more corporal punishment had lower earnings and occupational achievement. According to Straus, this was interpreted to be a consequence of the higher rate of depression and alienation associated with corporal punishment. Other Arguments Against Spanking Spanking as a discipline attempt can get out of hand and escalate into physical abuse. Sixty to seventy percent of child abuse cases began as spanking.