Summary
Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death and injury in this country. Parents normalize and validate violence when they use corporal punishment. If the legitimization of violence in the name of discipline is to end, physicians and other professionals must be convinced that spanking is harmful and unnecessary. They must help parents learn effective, nonviolent parenting practices. This article presents a program to help health educators teach physicians and others to counsel parents on nonviolent parenting practices.