Citation

Smith DE, Mosby G. Adolescence 2003; 38(150): 369-381.

Affiliation

Department of Child and Family Studies, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA. delsmith@utk.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Libra Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14560888

Abstract

The family is the most prominent social group that exists. It prepares its members for the various roles they will perform in society. Yet, the literature has unequivocally singled out the family as the most violent social group, with parental violence against children being the most prevalent type of family violence. While societies like the United States, Japan, and Sweden have taken a hard line on physical punishment and shifted to a gentler approach to discipline, harsh disciplining of children persists elsewhere. In the Caribbean, and Jamaica in particular, child-rearing and disciplinary practices that would warrant child abuse charges in other Western societies are rampant. This article examines the child-rearing techniques of Jamaican adults and their assumed effects on child outcomes. It also examines the plausibility of the assumption that the harsh physical punishment meted out to children is partially responsible for the current social problems of that island nation. We recommend approaches to tackle the broad goals of addressing familial and societal practices that compromise children's development and well-being.

Language: en