Christian Missions and Physical Punishment of Children in Africa

Elisabetta De Cao, University of Bologna
Alberto Ciancio, University of Glasgow
Giulia La Mattina, University of South Florida
Luca Pesando, New York University (NYU) - Abu Dhabi

This paper examines the long-term impact of geographical proximity to colonial Christian missions on corporal punishment practices toward children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using data from 12 SSA countries, the study combines historical data on mission locations with contemporary household survey data on child discipline. We find that proximity to Protestant missions is associated with a higher likelihood of corporal punishment, while proximity to Catholic missions shows a weaker or even inverse relationship. These findings challenge the conventional wisdom that education, often promoted by missions, reduces corporal punishment. The study highlights the enduring influence of missions on social norms, specifically in relation to child discipline practices.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Spatial Demography, Population and Development, Geo-referenced/geo-coded data

See extended abstract.