A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health has revealed that despite a gradual decline in support for corporal punishment, spanking remains a practice used by a notable portion of Canadian parents particularly among younger generations.
According to the research, approximately 20 per cent of parents from Generation Z (ages 18–27) and the millennial group (ages 28–42) admitted to having spanked their children at least once. The study, based on responses from around 4,000 adults, offers one of the first comprehensive looks at spanking practices across Canada.
Researchers also found a strong link between childhood experiences and parenting behavior. Adults who were spanked as children were significantly more likely to use the same method on their own children, highlighting a cycle that continues across generations.
When it comes to attitudes, only 15 per cent of surveyed parents believe spanking is necessary for proper child-rearing. In contrast, more than 72 per cent rejected this idea, while a small percentage remained uncertain or chose not to respond.
The data also sheds light on how common spanking was in the past. Over half of respondents 55.6 per cent reported being spanked three or more times during their childhood. Meanwhile, 40.2 per cent said they experienced it rarely or not at all.
Interestingly, mothers were found to be slightly more likely than fathers to report using spanking, though both groups showed similar levels of support overall. Among those who had been spanked, nearly one in four said it resulted in visible marks, bruises, or lasting pain raising concerns about the line between discipline and harm.
The findings align with earlier research. A 2022 study conducted in Manitoba found that around one in five parents and adolescents still consider spanking a normal part of parenting.
Globally, attitudes toward corporal punishment are shifting. More than 70 countries and regions have already banned it in all settings, reflecting a growing international push to eliminate physical discipline.
In Canada, however, spanking remains legally permitted under certain conditions. Section 43 of the Criminal Code allows parents and caregivers to use “reasonable force” to discipline children, provided it does not cause harm and is applied within strict limits generally for children between the ages of two and twelve.
Despite these legal boundaries, the study suggests that many real-life instances of spanking may exceed what is considered lawful. Researchers argue that this gap highlights the need for clearer protections.
The authors of the study are calling for the repeal of Section 43, emphasizing that doing so would better safeguard children and send a stronger message against all forms of physical punishment.
While the research points to a gradual decline in both the use and acceptance of spanking, it also underscores that the practice remains embedded in parenting habits suggesting that meaningful change may take time, education, and policy reform.
