A recent Fox News segment reignited international debate over child discipline after a high-profile television host advocated for parents to “spank your kids’ a—,” scoffing at the rising trend of “gentle parenting.” While such remarks have stirred controversy in the United States, Thailand has, in a landmark legislative reform, moved decisively in the opposite direction—banning all forms of corporal punishment against children in every setting, from the home to the classroom. What does the latest research say about physical punishment, and what lessons can Thai families draw as society transitions to positive parenting in law and life?
The Fox & Friends discussion featured hosts who disparaged gentle discipline—methods that emphasize reasoning, empathy, and emotional regulation—advocating instead for traditional spanking as a means to control children’s misbehavior. References were made to personal childhood experiences and religious justifications, while one panelist noted that physical discipline has become so legally fraught in modern American cities that parents risk state intervention for spanking. Yet, missing from the segment was any mention of the extensive global evidence on the long-term effects of corporal punishment, or mention of the mounting legal prohibitions against it, such as the fresh example set by Thailand in 2025 (The Daily Beast).
The issue is of special relevance to Thai readers. This year, Thailand became the 68th country worldwide to abolish all forms of corporal punishment against children, passing a sweeping amendment to Section 1567 (2) of the Civil and Commercial Code. The law, effective since March 2025, states that all disciplinary measures by guardians must avoid violence, physical or psychological harm, or any inappropriate actions. The text aligns national law with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Thailand ratified in 1992 (endcorporalpunishment.org; Bangkok Post). This landmark reform did not arise overnight. It was the fruit of over a decade of advocacy by Thai child rights coalitions, with active involvement from experts in child protection, mental health, and civil society organizations.
Beneath the surface arguments about parental authority and cultural tradition, the global scientific consensus on spanking and similar forms of corporal punishment is surprisingly clear. Recent and exhaustive meta-analyses—reviewing data from over 160,000 children across a spectrum of cultural contexts—show a robust association between corporal punishment and a range of harmful child outcomes, both immediate and long-term (Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor, 2016; PMC7992110). These negative associations include higher rates of aggression, antisocial behavior, externalizing and internalizing problems, and worsened parent–child relationships. A three-level meta-analysis published in early 2024 further underscored that even mild forms of corporal punishment are consistently linked to increases in aggressive and antisocial behavior, with the intensity of spanking amplifying the risk (Frontiers in Psychology, 2024).
Specifically, leading longitudinal studies and expert reviews report that corporal punishment is not more effective than non-violent disciplinary tactics at reducing future misbehavior, and rather correlates with higher risk for undesirable outcomes—including poorer mental health, lower cognitive scores, and an increased likelihood that children will themselves use violence in adulthood. These findings hold true regardless of study design, cultural setting, or age group evaluated. The American Academy of Pediatrics and UNICEF have long advocated for the abolition of physical punishment, citing both the physical and psychological harms involved (UNICEF, 2014).
It is important to note that, across diverse meta-analyses, some nuance persists regarding the severity and context of corporal punishment. The most recent analyses confirm that risk is dose-dependent: severe, frequent, or emotionally charged violence is especially damaging, but even moderate or so-called “light” spanking is associated with negative outcomes. One 2024 review concluded: “While highly severe and frequent punishment can contribute to subsequent aggression, even mild forms are positively correlated with the violent behavior spectrum” (Frontiers in Psychology). About 80% of children worldwide are still subjected to physical punishment, meaning small effect sizes at the individual level could translate into significant public health burdens across society.
In Thailand, the new law is poised to change not just the legal landscape, but also cultural attitudes. The traditional view—that “hitting is a form of love”—is deeply ingrained. Many Thai adults recall childhood discipline by spanking or slapping as normative, backed by elders, teachers, and some interpretations of religious scripture. Campaigners from the Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation, along with national authorities, emphasize that the aim is not to criminalize parents, but to shift social norms and support families in adopting positive, non-violent discipline (Bangkok Post).
The law’s implementation involves a comprehensive National Child Protection Action Plan (2023–2027), which prioritizes prevention of violence and support for positive parenting. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is leading a coordinated effort with partner ministries to provide counselling, parenting education, and practical support—including mental health resources, peer groups, and access to social services for stressed families (endcorporalpunishment.org). The plan also involves widespread public awareness campaigns, training for teachers and community workers, and clear channels for reporting and intervention.
Thai health and mental health professionals echo the legislative intent. A senior official at the Department of Mental Health highlighted studies showing that children raised with spanking internalize aggression, with long-term impacts on emotional regulation and adult relationships. “Children are often silent victims of family violence. We’ve seen cases of brain injuries from shaking or bruises from beatings. This law should serve as a societal wake-up call,” the official stated, adding that the Ministry plans further campaigns supporting “compassionate families, workplaces and communities.” The same official advocates reward-based discipline: “If a child lies, instead of punishing them, parents should praise the child when they tell the truth.”
International organizations, notably UNICEF and Save the Children, have praised Thailand’s step as a major milestone. The prohibition not only aligns with human rights standards, but reflects a growing recognition that physical punishment is neither necessary nor effective for child development. The achievement also raises Thailand’s international reputation, coming as only the second ASEAN country to implement a total prohibition (Save the Children, UNICEF Thailand). A Thai child population of over 14 million now has explicit legal protection, contributing to the worldwide tally of around 343 million children covered—a crucial fraction, but with many still waiting.
While the law is a vital first step, Thai experts caution that changing daily parenting practice is a generational challenge. Legislation alone, they note, is insufficient: “We need all sectors to help end this—not just police, but teachers, doctors, monks, and community leaders.” Thailand’s last major campaign reduced child violence in schools and juvenile detention centres by 20% over seven years, showing that public education and role models can shift norms. Campaign leaders, including those who spearheaded the “Love Does Not Hurt” project, say the focus going forward must be on helping parents understand children’s developmental needs and emotional safety—not just telling them “do not hit.”
Globally, a handful of research critics have suggested that in certain contexts, mild physical discipline may not cause harm, or may even be “effective” in the short term for stopping misbehavior. However, the most robust statistical reviews, including those focused only on longitudinal, well-controlled studies, show no clear benefit—and persistent risk—relative to alternative, non-violent strategies. Even when separating spanking from more extreme physical abuse, the negative associations remain, with some analyses suggesting that the impacts of spanking and more severe violence are “similar in magnitude and identical in direction” (Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor, 2016; PMC7992110). Importantly, none of these major analyses found significant positive effects, and any benefits of immediate compliance were fleeting and outweighed by the broader harms.
Changing deep-seated beliefs about child-rearing will take more than law or research alone. In Thailand, where respect for elders and face-saving harmony are prized, positive parenting must be presented as an extension of traditional Thai kindness and “namjai” (น้ำใจ) rather than as a Western import. Religious leaders are beginning to interpret Buddhist and other teachings through a child protection lens, framing non-violence in the home as a reflection of compassion and merit. Social campaigns increasingly feature stories of parents and children finding stronger relationships and harmony through patient communication, time-in rather than time-out, and mutual respect.
Looking ahead, successful implementation of the law—and a genuine drop in family violence—will require sustained political will, resources for parent support, and a shift in community expectations. Key recommendations include:
- Schools and community centres should regularly provide workshops for parents on non-violent discipline and child brain development;
- Health workers should be trained to screen for and intervene in family violence safely and sensitively;
- Social insurance and welfare programs should target families under stress, reducing risk factors that may lead to harsh punishment;
- National and local media can model positive parenting and openly challenge myths linking spanking to better outcomes;
- Everyone—from Buddhist monks to barangay leaders, teachers and police—should be supported to stand up for non-violence as a social value.
For Thai readers, the message is clear: the evidence does not support spanking as an effective or safe way to educate children. Thailand’s new law, backed by the weight of international science and local advocacy, marks a transition—one that will take time, attention, and support from all layers of society. Parents are not alone on this journey: help is available, and the benefits accrue not only to children, but to families, schools, and the nation as a whole.
Readers who want to learn more or access support for positive parenting can find resources via the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UNICEF Thailand, and local child rights organizations.
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