by Emily Moratti
Dr. J.C. Barnes co-authored a study that exposes genetic factors that increase the aggressiveness of boys that were spanked by their parents as a child. As he explains in the article, aggressiveness is a genetic trait that is evident in the behavior of children. He also goes on to state that if a male child has this gene and was also spanked, his aggressive tendencies are more likely to develop. Alternatively, there appeared to be no difference in female aggressiveness.
They used twin methodology to study the effect of this disciplinary behavior on the hereditary trait. They found that aggressive behaviors, for example temper tantrums, actually increased when a child was exposed to physical punishments. They examined children ages 9 months to 5 years old in the hopes of pinpointing when intervention would be the most advantageous for the children. The hope is that this study, and future studies of the same topic, will help to diminish the use of spanking as a punishment.
Spanking And Genetics May Increase Childhood Aggression
University of Texas, Dallas (2012, March 5). Spanking and genetics may increase childhood aggression. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2012/03/120305132250.htm
Questions
1. Why doesn’t this phenomenon affect females?
2. Does this mean these children will grow up to be more aggressive and prone to criminal enterprises?
3. What form of punishment is most effective and also helps lessen this aggressiveness.
By: Laymah Cisco on March 31, 2012 at 11:25 am
This article is interesting. It makes me think about the difference between males and females in general. Maybe the difference in the reproductive systems have something to do with this. Males tend to have greater adrenaline and hormone levels than females, so this might be what causes them to be so much more physical and aggressive than girls.
By: April Salerno on April 2, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I found this article to be very interesting and I can understand how a male child could be more aggressive if they have a specific gene and also experienced physical abuse. Other than being a genetic issue, I believe that this claim also relies heavily on the mental and emotional aspect of the child where physical abuse can be correlated to mental abuse. It is very strange that the article believes that females do not experience the same genes that are related to aggressiveness. The test of the twins could show that the evidence is correct, but I still am apprehensive to believe that only males have specific genes that trigger aggression. Overall, spanking children is not a useful punishment and will only expose the child to violent behaviors, whether they have a genetic disposition to aggressiveness or not.
By: Elizabeth Spiller on April 3, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I enjoyed reading this article because it was interesting to see how events from childhood, such as punishments, can really effect your overall personality. Therefore, effecting tendencies in the future. The article discusses how “spanking” at a young age, can cause a male to become overly aggressive. The research shows aggression is genetic. However, females are exempt to the results of this study. I found this fascinating that even though women and men are completely different, I thought that maybe being punished or spanked would make anyone more aggressive. Then again, this may be the reason why we see more male wrestlers, boxers, and UFC fighters.
By: Nicole Giacopelli on April 9, 2012 at 5:05 pm
I found this article very interesting. I have 3 older brothers and I find this believable. None of my brothers were spanked during that age span and they are not aggressive, neither is my father. It says genetics plays a part and i would like to know how much of a part. I also cannot believe that girls are exempt from this. There are aggressive girls and non-aggressive just as there are aggressive and non-aggressive boys. I would like to know how girls become aggressive.
By: Jillian Marinaro on April 10, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I found this article very interesting. I believe that physical discipline can certainly affect the aggressiveness of children, particularly boys. It is, however, also interesting that there was no difference in female aggressiveness. I hope that studies such as this eliminate the use of physical discipline.
By: Shane Roland on April 10, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Although I enjoyed reading this article, I do not necessarily agree with the full article. I have had personal experiences with children that misbehave and have tantrums and have received both violent and non violent punishments. It has been my observation that the child responds much better to the physical punishment as opposed to the non physical punishment. When a non physical punishment is applied the child more times than not just brushes it off and goes right back to doing what they want regardless of the parents punishment. Is there any specific reason for this type of result?
By: Jasmine James on April 12, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Wow, that was interesting I never knew that aggression was caused by an aggressiveness genetic trait. I always thought aggression was taught because of an individual’s environment. Knowing that there is an aggressive trait will help criminologist and psychologist help individuals who have aggressive tendencies. It is essential to know that child spanking will more than likely cause the gene to develop, therefore parents can be more aware and learn other disciplinary actions , in which will help them to discipline their child.
By: Beth Blackman on May 7, 2012 at 11:58 am
This article is very interesting in the sense that is explains a lot. I’m sure many of us knew already that men tend to be more aggressive than women, even as children. However, before this article I did not know that there was a genetic disposition that could help explain this aggression. This gene in addition with being physically punished as a child explains very well the cycle of aggression that many men go through. It could even help explain domestic violence and why some men fight more than others. Very interesting article.