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Family Structure and the Physical Punishment of Children

University of East London

MARJORIE SMITH

University of London

A community sample of nearly 500 parents was interviewed in order to examine the relative extent of physical punishment of children in one- and two-parent homes. Lone mothers' use of physical punishments was compared first with partnered mothers' and second with the combination of mothers' and fathers' punishments in two-parent homes. Lone mothers were considerably more disadvantaged than partnered mothers yet did not punish their children more frequently or more severely. Among mothers with poor mental health, those with partners reported having used more severe physical punishments. Inclusion of fathers' punishments showed that children of lone mothers were punished less frequently and severely than children who had two parents, indicating that children in one-parent homes are not a risk group for harsh physical punishment or abuse. Indeed, in difficult circumstances partners might exacerbate mothers' stress and increase the chances of child maltreatment.

Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 23, No. 3, 349-373 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X02023003002


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