Corporal punishment of children: a South African national survey

Abstract

The study to be reported here is the first South African national survey of attitudes to the use of corporal punishment by caregivers. It should be noted here that this study formed part of a larger study of intimate violence that examined the prevalence of, and links between, partner violence and corporal punishment. These results and full technical details are reported elsewhere (Dawes, De Sas Kropiwnicki, Kafaar, & Richter in press; Dawes et al. 2004). There is a dearth of good information available on the incidence and prevalence of corporal (physical) punishment in the South African context or the disciplinary attitudes used by parents and caregivers to warrant their use of corporal punishment. However, the limited data suggests that it is very common and widely accepted mode of child rearing in the South African context. Current gaps in our knowledge compromise our ability to understand this form of violence against children, and weaken efforts to create viable intervention strategies in order to address the problem. It is therefore hoped that evidence produced by this study can be used to inform intervention. In addition to reporting on the extent and severity of corporal punishment by South African parents we report on predictors of this form of intimate violence. Attitudes to corporal punishment in schools are also addressed. Finally, the study provides baseline data that can be used to track change over time, as various initiatives are undertaken to deepen a culture of democracy and children's rights. The study focuses on the views and practices of persons over 16 years of age. Children were not included as participants in this research. As it is critical to access the views and voices of children, children will participate in a series of future studies that build on participatory work commenced by Save the Children Sweden (2002).