Trends in Youth Crime and Well-Being Since the Abolition of Corporal Punishment in Sweden

Trends in the well-being of Swedish youth were examined to determine whether they have shown improvement or deterioration since the passage of the 1979 corporal punishment ban. Rates of youth involvement in crime, alcohol & drug abuse, rape & suicide have decreased. Trends in rates of non-sexual assault are equivocal due to shifts in enforcement. The authors conclude that corporal punishment appears to be unnecessary to improve youth well-being.(73 refs)