A new study from University College London (UCL) warns that corporal punishment in early childhood can be linked to academic problems and risky behaviors in adolescence; a concern that psychologists in the UAE have also raised regarding its impact on children's learning and mental health.

This research examined data from about 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002. Children who experienced corporal punishment at ages three, five, and seven were 5.7 percentage points more likely to fail to achieve five GCSE grades at A* to C, including English and Mathematics, compared to those who did not have such experiences.

In another part of the research, it was found that 14-year-olds who had been subjected to corporal punishment in childhood were 33% more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as hitting, pushing, and bullying others.

However, researchers emphasized that this is an observational study and only shows the correlation between these factors; therefore, it cannot be said that corporal punishment directly causes academic decline or risky behavior.

Nevertheless, psychologists in the UAE state that the results align with existing concerns about the impact of fear and physical punishment on children's learning and emotional regulation.

One psychologist also mentions that corporal punishment can increase cortisol levels and, if repeated, affect working memory; a part of cognitive function that is important for learning, attention, problem-solving, decision-making, and information processing.

Psychologists say that abandoning corporal punishment does not mean abandoning rules and discipline.

Their recommendations include setting clear and consistent boundaries, using predictable and proportionate consequences for behavior, temporarily restricting certain privileges for older children, encouraging positive behaviors, and helping the child to make amends for their mistakes.
Source: Gulf Times