Final answer:
Studies on corporal punishment, particularly within the context of African-American families, reveal that physical discipline in childhood correlates with increased angry and acting out behavior in teenagers. Spanking is less likely to be effective and may encourage aggression, with education and regional culture affecting the likelihood of its use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research on the consequences of corporal punishment within African-American families suggests that physical discipline does not lead to better behavioral outcomes in children. On the contrary, evidence points out that the more mothers resort to physical discipline during childhood, the more their teenagers tend to display angry and acting out behaviors. The relationship between physical punishment and subsequent aggression in the child seems to be clear, with studies indicating increased aggression and antisocial behaviors in those who are physically disciplined, particularly when they are young. Cultural factors and education levels influence tendencies toward physical punishment, with those lacking a college education and living in the South being more likely to use such methods.
Additionally, when parents are highly agitated and administer physical punishment, this could be perceived as rejection, contributing to further negative consequences. A significant percentage of Americans may approve of spanking, but research, including studies by Berlin (2009) and Gershoff et al. (2010), has highlighted the drawbacks of such punishment methods. While spanking is allowed in some states under clear guidelines, most schools in the United States have now banned corporal punishment due to its adverse effects on children's emotional and social development.