Tracie O. Afifi – The Conversation

Strategies that may help reduce support for corporal punishment — as well as reduce its use and intentions to use it — include individual and group-based programs to develop positive parenting skills. (Shutterstock)

April 18, 2023

Time to abolish the Canadian law that allows adults to spank and hit children

Tracie O. Afifi, University of Manitoba and Andrea Gonzalez, McMaster University

Extensive evidence shows the harms of spanking, and 65 other countries or states worldwide have already banned it. Why has Canada not done the same by repealing Section 43 of the Criminal Code?

Little work has been done to understand young people’s willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Above: a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus on May 6. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

May 27, 2021

How to increase COVID‑19 vaccine uptake and decrease vaccine hesitancy in young people

Tracie O. Afifi, University of Manitoba; Ashley Stewart-Tufescu, University of Manitoba; Janique Fortier, University of Manitoba; Samantha Salmon, University of Manitoba; S. Michelle Driedger, University of Manitoba, and Tamara Taillieu, University of Manitoba

As vaccine eligibility is expanded to adolescents and young adults, understanding who might be more likely to be vaccine hesitant, and why, can help inform public health strategies

There is no research evidence that spanking improves child behaviour. On the contrary, spanking is associated with aggression, antisocial behaviour, mental health problems and negative relationships with parents.

October 29, 2017

Why parents should never spank children

Tracie O. Afifi, University of Manitoba and Elisa Romano, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

The debate on spanking is over. Scientific studies consistently show that it is harmful to children, increasing the likelihood of mental health problems and antisocial behaviours.

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