Cross-cultural analysis of the use of corporal punishment in hunter-gatherer versus agrarian societies

Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology • Vol/Iss. 14(1) • Universitatea din Bucuresti • • Published In • Pages: 33-73 •
By Roman, George-Valentin

Abstract

How does the use of corporal punishment or physical discipline of children vary across hunter-gatherer and agro-pastoralist societies? Through a comparative analysis of 139 egalitarian and agrarian cultures, the author finds that 1. The use of corporal punishment against children is higher in agrarian societies than in hunter-gatherer societies, where it is absent or infrequently practiced, and 2. This difference in the use of corporal punishment is correlated with cultural parental attitudes, such as affection towards children, indulgence in children’s behavior, responsiveness to children’s needs, children’s autonomy, and father involvement. Low corporal punishment generally is related to more affection, higher indulgence, more autonomy of children, and higher father presence. The relationships are much stronger in agrarian societies.
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