The combination of an almost universal use of physical punishment and an almost equally widespread belief that spanking should be avoided may seem contradictory. The two coexist because there is also an implicit assumption that spanking a child is harmless if done in moderation by loving parents who explain what they are doing. This assumption, however, has never been adequately tested, and available research evidence suggests that the effects of ordinary physical punishment are similar to those of physical abuse. Both put children at risk for various behavioral and mental health problems, especially a high level of aggression. A task force established to look at the effects of physical punishment on children plans to formulate recommendations on how to include material on physical punishment in child development textbooks, to provide advice for parents in books and articles, to encourage research on ways of informing parents about the risks of using physical punishment, and to draft a resolution that prohibits physical punishment of children by parents or teachers. 5 references