No evidence that anti-domestic violence laws reduce violent child discipline in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Albeit rarely recognized as such in existing legislation, violent child discipline is a clear form of domestic violence (DV), with long-lasting implications for children’s health and wellbeing. This study investigates whether anti-DV laws introduced gradually in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since the mid-2000s had any effect in curbing violent caregiving practices. We do so by merging household survey data from 27 SSA countries with time-series information on anti-DV law implementation from World Bank’s reports. Leveraging a quasi-experimental approach, we compare African caregivers’ childrearing practices and attitudes toward harsh parenting in countries with and without anti-DV laws, before and after law implementation. We test the effectiveness of the laws and conduct heterogeneity analyses by caregiver, household, and child characteristics, alongside country-level indicators of development and inequality. We document a robust increase in violent child discipline following law implementation—mainly driven by emotional punishment—as well as a significantly higher endorsement of harsh parenting practices. Results are weaker, i.e., the consequences of the laws are less negative, in countries characterized by higher income and gender inequalities, where laws have more of a “protective” effect. Findings underscore the unintended consequences of legislation implemented without a clear aim of protecting children.