Corporal Punishment Poses Serious Risks to Children’s Health, says WHO
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that corporal punishment remains alarmingly widespread across the globe, with devastating consequences for children’s health, development, and well-being.
The report estimates that 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 are subjected to corporal punishment in their homes every year. Data from 58 countries show that 17% of children experienced its most severe forms in the past month, such as being hit on the head, face, or ears, or being hit hard and repeatedly.
The practice varies across regions, but prevalence remains high. Among children aged 2–14 years, recent rates of corporal punishment were reported at 30% in Kazakhstan, 32% in Ukraine, 63% in Serbia, 64% in Sierra Leone, and 77% in Togo.
In schools, the figures are equally alarming: around 70% of children in Africa and Central America report being physically punished during their school years, compared with 25% in the Western Pacific region.
The report, Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact, highlights that children with disabilities, those whose parents also experienced corporal punishment, or those living in families affected by substance use, depression, or poverty, face the highest risks. Societal issues such as discrimination and racism further compound children’s vulnerability.
The health impacts are severe. Beyond visible injuries, corporal punishment triggers harmful stress responses and even structural changes in the brain. Children exposed to corporal punishment are 24% less likely to be developmentally on track compared to their peers. They also face heightened risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, emotional instability, and suicidal thoughts, effects that often continue into adulthood.
The consequences extend beyond the individual child. Corporal punishment fosters aggression, poor academic performance, and, later in life, violent or antisocial behavior. By reinforcing cycles of violence, it undermines healthier, safer societies.
Although many countries have legislated against corporal punishment, the report stresses that laws alone are insufficient. Public awareness, parental guidance, and teacher training on positive, non-violent forms of discipline are essential for lasting change.
At its core, the WHO report underscores what international law already makes clear: every child has the right to health, dignity, and protection from all forms of violence. Corporal punishment violates this right, and ending it is not just a public health necessity; it is a moral and legal obligation owed to every child.
