PARENTAL BELIEFS IN PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of beliefs of effectiveness, harmlessness and necessity in physical punishment and the influence of such beliefs on its use by parents in Singapore. This was done in support of government efforts in advancing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Singapore. To this end, a cross-sectional qualitative survey research design was used to study the abovementioned beliefs. A sample of 154 parents who were recruited through door knocking in Housing Development Board estates completed the face-to-face self-administered survey which measured agreement to a series of statements designed to measure beliefs in physical punishment. Analyses of data revealed that such beliefs in physical punishment are evident in Singapore and were indeed associated with its use. Further analysis showed that the belief in the necessity of physical punishment, along with the experience of physical punishment as a child and monthly household income, predicted the use of physical punishment amongst the sample. Such findings were expected given the socio-cultural context in Singapore which values the use of physical punishment in parenting. As Singapore has acceded to the UNCRC, the continued acceptability and use of physical punishment must be addressed. The findings from this study can be used in the design of public education and awareness-raising campaigns to further the UNCRC in Singapore.