When parents in countries worldwide use spanking as a behavior deterrent, their children are more likely to become a victim of physical abuse, say University of Michigan researchers. A new U-M study analyzed the connection between spanking and physical abuse in 56 low- and middle-income countries, as well as examined the extent to which physical abuse might be reduced if spanking were eliminated. The probability of physical abuse decreased by 14% when comparing children who were spanked (22%) with those who were not (8%).
— source University of Michigan | Jun 3, 2022