Researchers Deserve a Better Critique: Response to.

ABSTRACT

This commentary addresses the critique by Larzelere, Gunnoe, Roberts, and Ferguson (2017 Marriage & Family Review, 53, 24-35) ostensibly concerning the quality of research on "positive parenting" but actually critiquing physical punishment research. The critique revealed that the authors have a poor understanding of positive parenting. After explicating the different meanings of that term and describing what positive parenting is, we then address each of their four critiques of the physical punishment research. Each critique was flawed in multiple ways. After identifying their errors and correcting misinformation, we then raise broader issues about children's right not to be hit and how professional organizations are increasingly recognizing the need and calling for an end to all physical punishment of children.