Change norms to support non-violent discipline
Return to Enhance secure parent-child relationships
Positive discipline is a non-violent approach to help and guide children develop positive behavior while respecting their rights to healthy development, protection from violence, and participative learning. This objective focuses on bringing about change across an entire community. There is a separate, more focused objective that focuses on supporting non-violent discipline among families in faith communities.
Contents
Background
According to the U.S Alliance To End the Hitting of Children, paddling in schools is the leading cause of physical child abuse, and is linked to increased anxiety, agression and drug abuse later one in the child’s life [1]. Approximately 65-80% of parent’s in the U.S use spanking to discipline their children, and 30% of parent’s use spanking on children under the age of one [2]. There are increasing research studies that show spanking is linked to future negative outcomes in a child's life including decreased IQ and increased adult abusive behaviors [3].
There are several studies that show how the implementation of Positive Discipline technique produces positive outcomes. A study of school wide implementation of positive discipline in a lower-income Sacramento elementary school over a four-year period showed that the number of suspensions, instances of vandalism and improvement in classroom atmosphere [4].
Tools and Resources
Parenting Beyond Punishment
- Webpage with free resources such as articles, podcasts recordings and research that aims to educate parents, educators, caregivers and professionals on the nagative outcomes of physical violence
- Real-life tools that can assist with daily parenting
- Webpage here
Parenting 4 Non-Violence
- Non-profit organization that aims to educate and support parents on using parenting methods that are emotionally healthy for the child, so that they can socially, academically and personally thrive as adults
- Has parenting skills, workshops and resources
- Link to organization here
Positive Discipline in Everyday Life
- Not-for-profit focused on promoting healthy parent-child relationships
- Focused on enhancing their programs with trauma informed practices
- Provide programs for parents and caregivers, and training for professionals
- Link to organization here
Promising Practices and Case Studies
Examples from communities that have implemented tools focused on this objective
No Hit Zones
This international movement has been spreading an emerging, low-cost evidence-based strategy for the prevention of violence against children, with an emphasis on preventing corporal punishment.[5]
- No Hit Zones strive to change the social norms around hitting and corporal punishment.with a combination of education and training. The process of establishing a No Hit Zone not only raises awareness of the negative impacts of hitting children, but also works directly to prevent hitting where it might happen.
- Their website has details, research and a toolkit for communities. This is a dedicated website: https://nohitzone.com/
Scorecard Building
Actions to Take
Actions for Coalitions
Actions for Individuals
