The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting (Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) [Paperback]

Irwin A. Hyman Ed.D. (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jossey-Bass Psychology Series | Publication Date: April 8, 1997

This book offers parents and teachers constructive methods of discipline, useful for everyday situations. It documents the long-term negative effects of spanking?how it brutalizes kids and creates violent adults. Irwin Hyman, an expert in the field of home and school discipline, explains in a passionate and compelling style why spanking or hitting children is abusive, destructive, and counterproductive. He then gives common sense advice on alternative forms of discipline, which help to raise happy and emotionally stable children.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These books examine child discipline, with spanking presented as an effective or ineffective method (depending on the viewpoint). A father and a family therapist for 30 years, Hyman (psychology, Temple Univ.) bases his discipline models on research and clinical observations. He offers parents a number of alternative strategies to physical punishment, including understanding child psychology, systemetizing rewards and punishments, and defusing anger in both parent and child. In contrast, Pritchett, a mother and stepmother, offers a discipline plan based on spanking as the only effective deterrent in training children to be obedient and well behaved. Her book begins with a description of spanking (two to five hard whacks on the bottom with a paddle followed by loving admonition). Spanking is deemed the appropriate parental response to all children for breaking family or house rules, defiance, lying, cheating, stealing, bad language, and any form of disrespect or disobedience. Pritchett cites the Bible as her reference. Hyman is a good addition to most public library parenting collections, but while one would like to present an opposing viewpoint, Pritchett, whose advice is neither comprehensive nor based on current research, cannot be recommended.?Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

?A `must-read' book about the spanking controversy that should be of interest to parents, parent educators, and mental health professionals.? --Charles E. Schaefer, coauthor of How to Talk to Your Kids About Really Important Things

"A good addition to most public library parenting collections."

"In this informative text, Hyman shores up his passion for children's rights with logic and research."

"[Hyman] presents a convincing arguement against spanking in the home and includes a Parent Punitive Quiz by which readers can measure their attitudes toward punishment."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787903426
• ISBN-13: 978-0787903428
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delivers Unique Insight Into Raising Children, April 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting (Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Paperback)

Hyman's book offers plenty of good insight into raising children based on the growing Western movement towards corporal punishment alternatives. Rather than simply suggesting theoretical disciplinary approaches, he cites real world ideas & results from countries like Sweden where a general aversion towards corporal punishment has caused a significant decrease in violence.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book., December 5, 2005

By 

Colleen McKinney (Nunnelly, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting (Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Paperback)

I have to say that this book is very well written. I feel that everyone should read this book, although I know some would probably never even consider reading a book like this. I didn't believe in spankings before I read this book, but now I don't feel so left out. Everyone I know spanks their kids and I am the "odd ball". I get criticized alot, but this book has made me feel alot better about who I am as a parent and a person. The author did a good job explaining why he believes the way he does and I have to give him credit. He is very intelligent and brave.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents need to know how to discipline w/o spanking..., July 22, 2006

By 

Bryan J. Davis "& his loving wife..." (Central Coast, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting (Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Paperback)

My parents used corporal punishment. Because of this, I vowed never to spank my children. I didn't know how to discipline, though - what to do IN PLACE of spanking. My daughter is now almost 30 and the mother of my beautiful 3 year old granddaughter. My daughter graduated from college, was an honor student praised by all her teachers throughout school, she never got into trouble the law, or misbehaved beyond giving me a bit of "normal teenage attitude". And she wasn't spanked! My son is 21, mentally handicapped, a well behaved, loving adult with a great sense of humor. Spanking is useless with a special needs child.
To the reviewer between 8 & 13 who wrote "it's ridiculous not to spank", my heart breaks for you. You're being lied to if someone has told you that spanking is necessary.
The author doesn't suggest that parents NOT discipline their children. What he HAS written is that there are other methods of discipline besides spanking. And, BTW, the author has an advanced education and clinical studies to support his work. Bryan's wife