Detection, consequences and influence of injuring a child by a corporal punishment as a method of upbringing

Abstract

Upbringing of a child and choosing a method, consciously or unconsciously, has existed since parenting. The aim of this paper is to present the choice of a violent method in upbringing – a corporal punishment of a child, the way how it affects a child’s development and consequences it can cause. Having in mind the complex and sensitive character of the phenomenon, the topic was explored from the aspect of a legal science, but also from the point of non-legal disciplines, such as psychology, sociology of a family and pedagogy. Observations of the achivements from the point of a child`s psychology are of an exceptional importance for the analysis of the consequences that a corporal punishment has on a child. The conclusion indicates that, although the family environment is the most desirable environment for a child, the choice of violent methods in education affects the proper growth and development of children, and it can lead to both temporary and permanent consequences related to a child`s mental and physical health as well as its emotional development. There are difficulties in determining how violent parenting affects a child’s emotional and physical safety and health, unless the result is a more serious physical injury or death. Although the responsibility lies primarely with the family and the activities of the parents, in practice, the most desirable approach is a close cooperation of all adults working with children, including educators, doctors and the whole society.

Keywords

• injuries
• violent methods
• psychological consequences