Reconciling Harm and Gratitude: Young Adults' Retrospective Experiences of Childhood Physical Punishment and Its Intergenerational Implications

ABSTRACT

Physical discipline has been linked to numerous adjustment problems in children. However, less is known about the lived experiences of individuals who received physical discipline as a child, and how cultural values may affect their interpretations of childhood experiences. This qualitative study retrospectively examined the perspectives of 25 young adults in Singapore on their experience of physical punishment, its perceived effectiveness, and their distinction between physical discipline and abuse. Through thematic analysis, the following four themes emerged: (1) unclear distinctions between physical discipline and abuse; (2) unintended consequences and ineffectiveness of physical discipline; (3) rationalizing past experiences of being physically disciplined and (4) potential intergenerational transmission of the use of physical discipline. The findings provide rich insights into the lived experiences of receiving physical punishment and highlight the cultural nuances of physical discipline, underscoring the importance of public education, advocacy and legislation.