A UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 87% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. Three quarters of children experienced physical punishment, while a much smaller percentage (16%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also very widely used: experienced by 90% of children. A quarter of children experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 84% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience violent discipline: 89% compared to 87%. Children aged 5-9 were slightly more likely to experience violent discipline than those of other ages: 90% of children aged 5-9 compared to 85% of children aged 2-4 and 87% of children aged 10-14. Children living in larger households were more likely to experience violent discipline: 88% of children in households of 6 or more people compared to 82% of children in households of 2-3 people. The statistics also suggest that children with more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study (p. 72). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.
(UNICEF, 2010, Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY: UNICEF)
According to statistics from UNICEF on violence in the family, in 2005-2006 sixty-eight per cent of girls and women aged 15-49 thought that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife under certain circumstances.
(UNICEF, 2009, Progress for Children: A report card on child protection, NY: UNICEF)
Research reported in January 2008 found that of 1,700 Algerian families, 70% whip their children and use violence for disciplinary reasons. The most commonly used implements in corporal punishment were found to be rocks and shoes; parents also reported using their hands to beat children’s faces and heads. Punishments often resulted in injuries and bruising.
(Reported in Echorouk Online, 6 January 2008)