Study reveals black and white children react differently to harsh discipline

Jet, Dec 23, 1996

Psychologists have long accepted the generalization that children who are spanked a lot end up as trouble-makers and react with aggression when they are upset.

A new study shows that this generalization may be true with White children, but it is not true for Black children. The study also proves that child development research has frequently neglected cultural and ethnic distinction.

The study recruited 466 White and 100 Black families between 1987 and 1988 in Knoxville and Nashville, TN, and Bloomington, IN. The mothers of the families were interviewed at length about their attitudes toward discipline, and the children's behaviors were tracked through third grade.

With the White students, the researchers found the expected correlation between harsh disciplining and behavioral problems. With the Black children, the study found that they tended to be better behaved when they had tougher parenting.

Researchers speculate that White children interpret discipline as hostility, and Black children see it as an expression of concern.

They said Black families may view lax discipline as an abandonment of responsibility.

However, they stressed that even the parents with an "authoritarian" style were not abusive.

The researchers also suggest more studies be done on cultural variations.