A shocking new barometer reveals that violent disciplinary methods remain deeply entrenched in French families, despite being outlawed. The third annual study on Ordinary Educational Violence (VEO), released by the Childhood Foundation and the Prévéo research group, surveyed over 1,000 parents of children aged 0-17.
Alarming Prevalence of Abuse
The data paints a stark picture of normalized abuse. Over the past 12 months, 83% of parents reported at least one act of verbal or psychological violence, while 37% admitted to physical violence. Common practices include screaming, spanking, threatening, shaking, and using degrading insults like “stupid” or “lazy.”
Specifically, 68% of parents confessed to having yelled or screamed at their child, 22% reported spanking with a bare hand, and 19% used humiliating language.
The Persistent “Acceptability” of Corporal Punishment
The study highlights a troubling paradox: while 7 in 10 parents now know the term VEO, only 37% understand it precisely. Even among informed parents, violence is often legitimized as a pedagogical tool.
Spanking remains the most common and accepted form of physical punishment. A significant 36% of parents deem it an acceptable punishment, compared to 9% for a slap to the face. Furthermore, 30% believe it is sometimes “the only way to get their child to behave well,” and 27% see it as part of their parental role.
- 39% find corporal punishment acceptable if a child is violent.
- 27% find it acceptable if a child is provocative.
- 40% believe children learn right from wrong through physical punishment.
A Stark Gender Divide in Perception
The research uncovered a significant gap between mothers and fathers. While only 25% of women believe children need corporal punishment to behave well, 40% of men share this view. Similarly, 46% of men deem corporal punishment acceptable for a violent child, compared to 33% of women.
Men are more likely to attribute positive effects to physical punishment, such as teaching morality. Women, conversely, better identify the negative consequences, including immediate injury, mental health issues, and the normalization of violence.
The Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma
The study confirms a cycle of abuse, with 79% of parents who experienced VEO in their own childhood reporting that it influences their parenting style. This underscores how these practices are passed down through generations.
The Childhood Foundation concludes that prevention efforts cannot treat parents as a homogeneous group. Campaigns must account for deeply differentiated perceptions of authority, punishment, and education—particularly along gender lines—to effectively combat this entrenched societal issue.
