Study says spanking creates bullies; what do you think?

Add this to the mountain of evidence piling up against corporal punishment: Spanking Linked to Kids' Later Aggression

Moms who spank their 3-year-olds may be increasing their children's risk of aggressive behavior, such as bullying, by the time they turn 5, a study shows.

The study, published in the May issue of Pediatrics, adds to evidence suggesting that spanking and other types of corporal punishment set kids up for aggressive behaviors later in life.

Although other studies have shown a link between spanking and aggressive behavior, the new study solidifies the connection because the researchers controlled for other maternal risk factors that might have explained the link, such as neglect, maternal use of drugs and alcohol, maternal stress and depression, and the physical or psychological maltreatment of the child.

The issue of spanking has come up before in the AnnArbor.com Parenting section, and I know there are readers who still feel spanking is OK. Or that the alternatives are too namby-pamby.

But there are alternatives that work. Here's a list from Mental Health America:

Role Modeling. Most children learn behaviors by observing their parents’ actions. Parents, therefore, must model the ways they want their children to behave. Remember that if a parent often yells, screams, or hits, the child will likely do the same.

Setting Rules. Rules should be reasonable, fair, realistic and explained to child(ren) along with the consequences of not following them. A minimum set of rules should be established with attention given to the child’s age and developmental level. Appropriate consequences allow a child to redeem him/herself and relate to the misbehavior. A child should be allowed to negotiate what the consequence will be; thus building self-esteem and cooperation skills. Children may feel less resentful and angry if they are allowed to help decide the consequence of their negative behavior.

Encourage and Reward Good Behavior. When children are behaving appropriately, tell them so! Children can be rewarded through tangible objects, privileges, increased responsibility and verbal praise.

Creating Charts. Using charts to monitor and reward behavior is an interactive way for a child to learn appropriate behavior. A child’s “progress chart” may create improved cooperation and increased self-esteem. Charts should be simple and used for one behavior at a time with a designated time frame in mind.

Time-Out. Time-out involves removing a child from a situation following a negative behavior as a means to calm down, establish control, end inappropriate behavior, and reenter the situation in a positive state. Effective time-outs include an explanation of what the inappropriate behavior is and why the time-out is needed. The child should be told how long the time-out will last and when it will begin. The amount of time should be determined based on the child’s age and developmental level.

Here's an article by parenting authors Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller that refutes the common arguments in favor of spanking, and summarizes the research against it.

What do you think? Do you spank your children? What forms of discipline do you find most effective?