Spanking is associated with what type of impact?

• A. No impact
• B. Positive but mild
• C. Often more significant than minimal
• D. Short-term increase in compliance

Answer: (C)

Spanking tends to produce effects that extend beyond a brief obedience moment. Evidence shows it is linked to higher levels of aggression, more behavior problems, and weaker parent–child relationships, with these risks often lasting well past the immediate incident. That pattern means the overall impact is typically larger than minimal, rather than being negligible or purely positive. While some parents may see a short-term pause in misbehavior, the long-term costs and the lack of lasting positive change make this approach inappropriate. The other statements don’t fit the evidence: there isn’t no impact, it isn’t reliably positive or mild, and the supposed short-term compliance does not justify the broader negative outcomes.