Public News Service quoted SMU Psychology Professor George W. Holden, psychology, as an expert source in the article "Hug it Out: Experts Warn Against Physically Punishing Children" about a new study from Duke University that warns against resorting to physical punishment.
Holden is a leading expert on parenting, discipline and family violence. He strongly advocates against corporal punishment and cites overwhelming research, including his own, that has demonstrated that spanking is not only ineffective, but also harmful to children, and many times leads to child abuse.