An interview with Dr. Martin Teicher, Neuroscientist, Researcher on Early Abuse & Neglect and the Effects on Brain Development.
Having read the avalanche of research on spanking and the link to negative outcomes, as well as the research showing brain alterations in children who are harshly spanked (with an implement) or spanked before age one, I am convinced that spanking is an ACE.
Spanking can cause brain damage. Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff's recent research shows that the warmth of the mother does NOT mitigate the negative outcomes associated with spanking. It makes sense when you understand that if the mother is the source of the threat, she is creating an ambiguous relationship with her child.
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