Nashville, TN – Today is Spank Out Day USA, an event meant to publicize numerous studies that show spanking and other physical disciplining of children doesn't have the desired effect and and does have many negative ramifications.
Among the groups supporting the event is Tennessee-based Attachment Parenting International, whose co-founder, Lysa Parker, says spanking just doesn't work.
"Spank Out Day was started to raise awareness about the ineffectiveness of spanking and its long-term detrimental effects on children."
Tennessee school districts have a wide range of spanking policies. Parker says Nashville's school system banned spanking after careful consideration.
"In Nashville, the Board of Education was asked to provide research that showed that spanking was actually effective - and they really couldn't find anything."
Instead, Parker says, numerous studies show that spanking increases the rates of depression and suicide among children under eighteen.
Detailed information on studies showing the negative results of spanking is available on line at:
www.stophitting.com
