The present study aimed at, with cross-cultural perspective, analyzing the differences in parental educational practices, with a particular focus on attitudes towards the physical discipline and use of corporal punishment. 123 parents (61 mothers and 62 fathers) of children of school age, 52% Italians and 48% immigrants, completed a self-report questionnaire about beliefs, educational values, parenting practices and disciplinary strategies. With regards to results, 1) no cultural differences were found in parental beliefs about physical discipline and frequency of use of corporal punishment; 2) in both samples, physical discipline is associated with a lack of emotional support, parental anger and impulsivity; 3) cultural differences in the association between parent’s gender, parenting styles and use of physical punishment were found; 4) child gender and number of children influence the parent’s use of physical punishment.
Keywords: Disciplinary practices, corporal punishment, educational values, ethnic differences