A viral video posted online by Nigerian human rights activist Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu captured the moment a mother aggressively beat her daughter.
The footage which has been viewed by thousands has sparked heated debate on social media. The incident in Lagos has drawn widespread attention, although the names of the mother and the child involved were not disclosed.
While Mr Gwamnishu strongly condemned such aggressive punishment, stating that 鈥渢here鈥檚 a difference between disciplining a child and committing a crime鈥, opinions remain divided. Some defend the mother鈥檚 actions as a discipline necessary to shape a child鈥檚 future. Others argue that such violence is harmful, warning it can damage a child鈥檚 emotional development.
Scenes like this are not new in Nigeria. For many, corporal punishment is a deeply ingrained part of parenting鈥揳 tool used to correct, instruct, and instil respect and responsibility.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 how our parents raised us,鈥 some argue. 鈥淎nd we turned out fine.鈥
While parents need practical training methods for their children, concerned individuals warn that discipline must reflect love and guidance, not fear.
鈥淒iscipline is important to shape a child, but we have extremists among our parents. Some parents will not stop beating a child until he or she bleeds.
鈥淭his is wrong; this is abuse. Such punishment may correct behaviour temporarily, but it often damages a child鈥檚 self-esteem and emotional security in the long run,鈥 says Mr Emmanuel Oluwaseeni, a former school teacher based in Oyo.
鈥淐hildren learn better through positive reinforcement, communication, and consistency, not fear,鈥 he added.
Research supports Mr Oluwaseeni鈥檚 claims, showing that children subjected to frequent corporal punishment are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, aggression, and difficulties with social relationships later in life.
Additionally, the World Health Organisation notes that corporal punishment triggers harmful psychological and physiological responses. Recurrent exposure tends to normalise violence as a method of problem-solving.
As conversations about child discipline continue to evolve, experts urge parents to adopt healthier, nonviolent methods of correction.