Abstract
Physical punishment of children / adolescents is highly prevalent and socially accepted, with a series of loopholes in the Brazilian legislation that favor this practice. Scientists tend to disagree in regard to the limits between physical punishment and physical abuse. This study aimed to contribute to the discussions around this theme, verifying whether practices of physical punishment and psychosocial variables considered risk factors for physical abuse differ among parents / caregivers with and without history of physical abuse notifications to protection agencies. The study was conducted with parents / caregivers who adopt practices of corporal punishment, 47 of whom without and 40 with history of physical abuse notification. Data were collected by means of Characterization Questionnaire, Parental Practice Interview, and Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP). Notified parents reported more severe corporal punishments (more frequent, more dangerous, in more vulnerable body regions) and more distress, severity, unhappiness, problems with the child and other people, and loneliness. Both groups reported that the act of punishing was moved by anger. These results reiterate the notion that all forms of physical punishment are maltreatment (expressions of violence) resulting from the needs of the caregivers (“emotional discharge”). However, these practices refer to a heterogeneous phenomenon in terms of severity and associated factors, which must be considered when proposing prevention and treatment programs.
Keywords:
Punishment; Violence Against Children; Parental Style; Family Violence
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