Germany: Longitudinal research shows reduction in violence if prohibited in childhood Some years after having achieved the full prohibition of corporal punishment in Germany, the use of this practice was significantly reduced. Since children were not exposed to these traumatic experiences, there was an important decrease in the use of violence by children when reaching adolescence. Years later, a reduction in the proportion of women experiencing physical injury due to domestic violence was also observed. A survey by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in 2011 found that the reduction may be linked to the decrease of violent experiences during childhood which in turn leads to a more tolerant society. The healthy development of the child “ Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.” Preamble of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Societies that apply dignity based discipline have been able to reverse the negative effects of corporal punishment on the healthy development of the child. Positive parenting helps to reduce behavioural problems and increase competencies of children and adolescents such as self-esteem, coping efficacy and educational goals. This nonviolent discipline decreases family conflict as well as improve family cohesion, communication and organisation. Canada: Positive parenting influences better adaptation to school In 2018, the American Psychological Association conducted different studies in Canada in order to examine how positive discipline promotes a healthy development of the child and in particular, how it leads to better school performance. Parents that participated in the study observed that positive discipline and specifically, a supportive parental attitude that promotes children’s autonomy and the development of their individuality influences a successful adaptation to school. In this study, children also reported a clear link between support from their parents and their results at school. Finland: Link between parents’ support of children’s autonomy and their well-being In 2017, the American Psychological Association conducted three longitudinal studies in Finland to analyse to what extent parents support of children’s autonomy enhances children’s well-being across the major transitions of high school. The Association found that this support reduces depressive symptoms and increases self-esteem among adolescents. Reducing costs that result from corporal punishment and investing in children A number of governments have calculated the financial costs associated with corporal punishment. India: Early school dropout causes losses to the State in the long-term In India, it was estimated in 2010 that the costs to society of children dropping out of school as a result of corporal punishment was between 1.5 to 7.4 billion USD in lost benefits to society each year. TOOL: Positive Discipline and Alternatives to Corporal Punishment of Children 6/15