Marlon Wayans Says Parents Shouldn’t Whoop Their Kids, and There’s Science to Support Him

Marlon Wayans has never shied away from publicizing his hot takes about anything and everything. Although his latest opinion about whether parents should whoop their kids has some folks online up in arms, he may actually have science on his side on this one. Let’s get into it!

Recently, the “Scary Movie” star stopped by L.A.’s 92.3 radio station, where he discussed his stance against using physical punishment against kids. While he previously admitted that his own father whooped him when he was growing up, looking back on it and realizing the wedge it put between him and his dad, the veteran comedic actor feels differently – especially now that he has kids of his own.

“Don’t hit’em. Don’t spank your kids, because it shows that you’re a poor communicator. They’re a baby. Why can’t you talk to a baby? Every time you spank your kid, you’re taking your potential best friend and you’re making them your enemy. You’re hurting your potential best friend,” Wayans said.

The “Air” star went on to say that there are other, more effective ways to teach your children right from wrong that won’t leave lasting emotional scars.

“And I know you’re trying to teach them, but they don’t need to learn that way. There’s other ways to teach them, and they’ll never forget those spankings,” he continued. “There will always be a part of them that resents you for that. It’ll take a lot of prayer and a lot to get over that. So just don’t do that to them.”

Related: Marlon Wayans Sends Powerful Message With ‘Unconditional Love’ of Transgender Son

While others at the station agreed with him, it soon became clear that others, who responded to a clip of him speaking on social media, didn’t share his perspective.

“This is why celebrities are not leaders because they say stupid sh*t. And now you see why he has a daughter pretending to be a boy. ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.’ – Proverbs 13:24,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.

“We’ll we see how being a best friend to your kids turn out. Just turn on the news or TikTok and see kids going wild and know of them have never been spanked,” said another.

One other user posted: “Your JOB as a parent is to teach your child how to be a Human Being. Teach them everyday activities, respect, humility, and guide them to being a responsible adult who isn’t a problem to society. Not be their best friend from day one. That comes after the job is ‘done.’”

Added another: “lol Marlon shut up, my mama beat my ass when I was a little boy only because I did things that were wrong, and I have never resented her for any of those whoppings. I actually thank her for keeping me on a straight and narrow path.”

But while these folks swear by spankings, a new study from the World Health Organization (WHO) explains that parents may be doing more harm than good. The organization’s findings explained that physical punishment was “ineffective for correcting children’s behavior.”

The report also showed that children who received spankings were “24 percent less likely to be developmentally on track” than peers who weren’t spanked. WHO also noted that kids who received “physical punishment face increased risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and emotional instability” and that those problems persisted well into their adult lives.

Additionally, a separate study from the Journal of Child and Family Studies in June 2025 showed that kids who are “spanked at age 5 significantly predicted higher levels of negative behaviors—including aggression, defiance, and rule-breaking—by fifth grade, even after accounting for earlier behavior problems and family factors.”

Scientists have concluded that spanking kids only serves as an example of using force to solve problems and weakens a child’s sense of safety and trust in their parents.