STUDY: Children who get spanked have lower IQ scores

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GREENSBORO, N.C. - Some parents are skeptical about results of a new study on spanking.

University of New Hampshire professor Murray Straus found children who get spanked scored as much as five points lower on an IQ test than children who were not spanked.

Parents Melissa and Kevin Garland have twins. They use timeouts and separations when their daughters misbehave. Spanking is also an option.

"We've had situations where time outs aren't working and taking things away from them aren't working," Melissa Garland said. "The message just isn't getting through. That's when you're gonna turn and they might get a smack or two on the bottom because they're just not listening."

The Garlands are not worried about their daugthers losing IQ points. Researchers concede there are many factors behind a child's intelligence.

"[Spanking] won't turn a brilliant kid into a dummy," Straus said, but it will make a difference.

His study also found the more kids are spanked, the lower their IQ scores will be.

North Carolina counselor Gary Kling discourages spanking, and says if parents use it at all it should be a last resort. He is not surprised about a correlation with lower IQ scores and spanking.

"Children need to learn how to make changes in their own behavior," Kling said. "Often times with the corporal punishment, it just gets a reaction from the child and in some cases is not effective at all."

Kling also advises parents talk to their children after a punishment is over. Kevin Garland says that's what happens at his house.

"Do you know why you got a spanking? Do you know why you were separated from your sister?" he'll ask his daughters. "Most times they'll actually tell us."

The Garlands end that session with a hug and kiss.