It could be illegal for parents to spank their kids in Kenya while most of our population is unaware of the developments.
By January 2015, 46 countries the world over had abolished all forms of corporal punishment of children both at home and in schools and Kenya is listed amongst them.
By January 2015, 46 countries the world over had abolished all forms of corporal punishment of children both at home and in schools and Kenya is listed amongst them.
When you ask most parents in Kenya, how they go about disciplining their children, top of the list is spanking. However if you ask them if they are aware that according to a new law passed in 2010 it is now illegal to spank children, you will be met with a shocked and grim face.
Most Kenyans are religious with majority of these ( 80% according to the last population census) being Christians and they will always quote the infamous verse “ spare the rod, spoil the child” when confronted with questions on how to discipline children.
It is also not uncommon to hear preachers encouraging their congregations not to spare the rod when it comes to disciplining children.
Besides this, spanking is part of a culture that has been handed down in the Kenyan society from generations past.
Most adults in Kenya will attest to the fact that they were spanked, and most are convinced it is the reason they turned out as responsible adults and so continue this practice, which is further cemented with a lack of exposure to alternative methods of discipline.
Interestingly research elsewhere, for instance the United States, reveals that adults who were never spanked as kids, do not spank their children either. This brings to mind Marshall Rosenberg (Psychologist and founder of Centre for non-violent communication) famous quote that;
-“Punishment is the root of violence on our planet” .
Or Haim G. Ginott famously quoted;
“When a child hits a child, we call it aggression
When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility
When an adult hits an adult, we call it assault
When an adult hits a child, we call it discipline.”
When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility
When an adult hits an adult, we call it assault
When an adult hits a child, we call it discipline.”
In 1979, Sweden was the first country in the world to make it against the law to strike children as a measure of discipline. From then on many countries have followed suit in Europe, Americas and Africa, bringing it to a total of 46 countries by January 2015.
Why is the trend to outlaw corporal punishment of children picking up?
Several decades of research (citations below) on the effects of spanking on children, are overwhelmingly clear, that children who are spanked are less emotionally healthy.They are likely to abuse drugs, suffer depression and anxiety.
Children who are spanked are also more likely to hit other children, siblings and as adults they are more prone to physically abuse their spouses.
Spanking was also shown to affect negatively the relationship of children to their parents.Furthermore spanked children are more susceptible to mental health problems and aggression.
The only outstanding benefit of spanking seemed to be immediate compliance but this was negated by the fact that spanked children exhibited less compliance in the long term, especially without the watchful eye of an authority figure.
Spanking seems to teach kids that it is okay to hit anyone who upsets them, especially those who are weaker thus encouraging bullying.
What are the Alternative methods of discipline?
Our society today lacks exposure to alternative methods of discipline.Individualism and breakdown of community has left most young parents without guidance and support on family matters. Majority default to what they saw their parents doing without much thought.
With the new laws that have abolished corporal punishment it is imperative that Kenyans are educated on alternative methods of discipline. The responsibility however lies with every parent to be proactive. Parents need to read a lot and research to enable them identify effective alternatives. The major advantage is that, we live in an information age and if you truly seek the best methods you will definitely come up with something useful.
We should also encourage discussions and have forums where young parents can share their stories on what approach they are using when it comes to disciplining their children.
Having said that, here are two articles on alternative parenting methods for further reading:
Here are some research on negative effects of spanking:
- Gershoff, E. T. (2013). Spanking and child development: We know enough now to stop hitting our children. Child Development Perspectives, 7 (3), 133-137.
-Gershoff, E. T. (2013). Spanking and child development: We know enough now to stop hitting our children. Child Development Perspectives, 7 (3), 133-137.
-Gershoff, E. T. (2013). Spanking and child development: We know enough now to stop hitting our children. Child Development Perspectives, 7 (3), 133-137.
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