New Study Reveals Divide on Discipline

A new study is sparking conversation about discipline, generational shifts, and how parenting continues to evolve—while showing that some practices still remain.

What the Data Shows

According to research published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, about 20% of Gen Z and millennial parents in Canada say they have spanked their children.

While that number reflects a minority, it also highlights that the practice hasn’t fully disappeared, even as attitudes toward parenting shift over time.

A Generational Pattern

One of the study’s most notable findings is the connection between past and present behavior. Parents who were spanked as children are significantly more likely to use the same method with their own kids.

More than half of surveyed parents reported being spanked multiple times growing up—suggesting that discipline styles can carry across generations.

Shifting Attitudes

Despite that continuity, broader attitudes appear to be changing.

The study found that more than 70% of parents do not believe spanking is necessary to properly raise a child. Support for the practice is declining, even among those who experienced it themselves.

At the same time, a smaller percentage of parents still view it as a normal or acceptable part of discipline, reflecting an ongoing divide in how families approach raising children.

Legal and Cultural Context

In Canada, spanking is not outright illegal, but it is limited under the law. Section 43 of the Criminal Code allows for what is considered “reasonable force” under specific conditions, though researchers note that some reported experiences may exceed those limits.

Globally, more than 70 countries or jurisdictions have moved to ban corporal punishment entirely, signaling a broader shift in how discipline is viewed.

An Ongoing Conversation

The findings don’t offer a single conclusion—but they do highlight a reality many families are navigating: how to balance discipline, care, and changing societal expectations.

Parenting has never been one-size-fits-all. And as new generations take the lead, the conversation around what works—and what doesn’t—continues to evolve.