The curricula of 10 evidence-based, universal, group parent-training programs were examined to determine whether the topic of corporal punishment (CP) is explicitly discussed, whether the program explicitly discourages its use, what reason(s) are offered for refraining from its use, and what alternatives are offered. There was strong agreement among the program curricula that CP is both harmful to the child and an ineffective discipline strategy. Between two and five alternative discipline strategies were offered to parents. The variation among the programs with respect to both arguments against and alternatives to the use of CP makes it difficult to ascertain one critical feature or combination of features of the parenting programs for effectively reducing parent use of CP. Directions for future research and practice are offered.
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