Helping parents spare the rod: Addressing their unbearable emotions.

Abstract

In this paper we review some of the literature on spanking, with an emphasis on its well-documented, negative sequalae. We discuss how clinicians need to appreciate that for both parents and children, fear and other unpleasant feeling states and a poor sense of themselves leads to a sense of vulnerability. This vulnerability is defended against by acting inappropriately powerful: disruption by the child and counteracting the child's aggression with physical punishment by the parent. Empathizing with the parent's sense of vulnerability can help the parents appreciate the child's sense of vulnerability and minimize corporal punishment. A clinical example illustrates this perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

•Copyright of Psychoanalytic Study of the Child is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)