Public opinion in Slovakia about physical punishment of children

Trnava University, Department of Social work, 91843 Trnava, Slovakia

Abstract

Not so long ago, when the issue of physical punishment of children was not discussed at all. Progress occurred in the second half of the 20th century when children began to be perceived as authentic and legally protected beings. Over the past two decades we have seen an international shift in perspectives concerning the physical punishment of children. In 1990, research showing an association between physical punishment and negative developmental outcomes was starting to accumulate, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child had just been adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The aim of our research was to find out how citizens of the Slovak Republic perceive physical punishments of children and how they apply them in the educational process. We have found out whether opinions on physical punishments are varied according to gender, education and religion of respondents. The research has been conducted using a quantitative research strategy. In order to collect the data a questionnaire was used. The survey sample consisted of 168 respondents. The data obtained was processed and analyzed using the SPSS program. Significant differences were confirmed from the point of view of education – respondents with lower education preferred physical punishment more than respondents with higher education. It is important for parents, to realize that the use of educational methods, such as explanation, persuasion, demand, or personal example is the base for achieving educational goals.