Asian Spank Pleading

In the wake of NFL star Adrian Peterson’s arrest, many have been asking whether corporal punishment is ever acceptable. While American parents have become less likely to endorse spanking over the last 50 years, nuances in opinions appear across racial groups. For example, Black parents are most likely to approve of spanking, while White and Hispanic parents fall in the middle.

2. Know Your Child’s Frame

It is important to understand your child’s frame of mind when they act out. Sometimes they’re just hungry or tired! Remember that they are small people with strong opinions. This is no reason to let anything slide, but a reminder to be firm and consistent.

While the tiger mom stereotype is prevalent, it is important to remember that American attitudes about spanking have changed in recent years. A 2012 study of 20,000 kindergartners and their parents found that Black parents were the most likely to approve of spanking (89%) while Asian parents were the least (73%) with White and Hispanic parents falling in between. Parental education and socioeconomic status are more likely to drive parenting strategies than differences in race or culture.

3. Give Them Second Chances

Despite the stereotype of “tiger moms,” Asian parents are actually less likely to spank their children than other parents. In fact, recent studies have shown that American attitudes toward corporal punishment have changed over the past 50 years and that different cultures discipline their children differently. Give your child a second chance if you know that their behavior is not normal. This may be because they are hungry, tired, or both. This is a good way to teach your child that it’s ok to make a mistake.