The Big Story: Why are teenage boys in Singapore hit by their parents more than girls?

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong · Jun 30, 2026 · 14m

For generations, many parents have viewed physical punishment as a necessary form of discipline. But how widespread is the practice in Singapore today? A new study by researchers in Singapore found that more than half of the teenagers surveyed had experienced physical punishment in the past year. It also revealed that teenage boys were physically punished twice as often as girls, with fathers being the most common disciplinarians. What could be driving these differences? And what do these findings mean for parents and families in Singapore? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr…