Authors

• Sariola, Heikki (Central Union for Child Welfare)

Keywords

child abuse, child protection, child safety, children, corporal punishment, domestic violence, parent attitude, parents

Abstract

The data are part of Central Union for Child Welfare study that investigates the use of corporal punishment in upbringing and attitudes towards it in Finland. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in winter 2014 as part of an Omnibus study conducted monthly by Taloustutkimus.

The respondents were asked whether they thought corporal punishment was, at least in some cases, acceptable. The same question was asked about pulling a child's hair or flicking them. Further questions included whether using "moderate" violence to solve conflicts between children and parents is justified, and whether using "mild" or "moderate" corporal punishments is, at least in exceptional circumstances, acceptable. Those respondents who had children under the age of 18 in the household were asked whether they had used different forms of corporal punishment (pulling hair, spanking etc.) and whether they had threatened their children with violence. The respondents were also asked whether the Finnish law allows corporal punishment or not. Finally the respondents were asked whether using "moderate" violence is justified in order to solve conflicts in relationships.

Background variables included, among others, the respondent's gender, age, employment status, economic activity and occupational status, marital status, household composition, level of education, consumer durables in the household, type of accommodation, number of inhabitants in the municipality of residence, municipality type, municipality of residence and number and ages of children living in the household.