Research Links Parental Smacking to Academic Decline and Bullying Behavior

Research indicates that children who are physically punished by their parents are less likely to achieve good exam results and more prone to bullying, highlighting a detrimental societal impact and prompting calls for a ban on smacking.

UCL’s research revealed that children in England who experienced physical punishment at ages three, five, and seven were markedly less likely to pass their GCSE examinations, even after adjusting for family background.

Analyzing data from 19,000 UK children born in the early 2000s, the study showed that adolescents who endured physical punishment in early childhood were considerably more likely to bully siblings, peers, or engage in cyberbullying.

These findings have reignited calls from experts, MPs, and children’s welfare charities urging legislators in England and Northern Ireland to act.

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC associate head of policy, stated: “This UCL research confirms once again that physical punishment fails to improve children’s behaviour and instead harms their wellbeing, leading to poorer future outcomes.”

“Just as in Scotland and Wales, children in England and Northern Ireland deserve equal protection from assault as adults. It is time to amend the law and eliminate the defence of reasonable punishment altogether.”

Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft, urged the government to act urgently on the report’s recommendations, noting that Scotland and Wales have demonstrated viable pathways and England should follow suit.

A Department for Education spokesperson said the new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act will provide greater protection for vulnerable children at risk of abuse and neglect, though the government currently has no plans to legislate a smacking ban.

English law permits parents to invoke “reasonable punishment” as a defence when accused of striking their child under Section 58 of the Children Act 2004.

UCL’s research found that physical punishment was administered to over 20% of 10‑year‑olds in 2020‑21 and was likely more prevalent among younger children in preschool.

The immediate impact of smacking appears in infant behaviour problems, while repeated physical punishment at ages three, five, and seven correlates with reduced literacy.

Adolescents who endured childhood physical punishment were less likely to obtain passing GCSE grades than their peers. After accounting for family circumstances, parental attitudes, and socio‑economic background, 48% of those repeatedly punished failed to achieve five GCSEs—including English and maths—compared with 42% of those without such exposure; the impact was especially pronounced for boys.

The survey also linked smacking to antisocial behaviours at age 14, such as bullying, aggression, and vandalism.

The study concluded that “these findings suggest physical punishment can have a negative impact on society overall.”

Dr Anja Heilmann, the study’s principal investigator and UCL associate professor, said the key recommendation is for England and Northern Ireland to amend their laws that permit “reasonable punishment,” including smacking by relatives.

Heilmann said the recent decisions by lawmakers in Northern Ireland and in England to abandon plans to outlaw physical punishment represent a missed opportunity and are deeply disappointing, emphasizing that “children have the right to be raised free from all forms of violence.”

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