A child's age, cognitive ability, and exposure to death in the environment have been documented as major factors affecting the formation of a mature death concept. The present study investigated the relationships between these three factors (age, cognitive ability, and death experience) and children's understandings of death, as well as the relationship between mothers' communicative competence and children's understandings of death. Thirty-seven children (ages 48-96 months) completed three cognitive tasks and answered four dichotomous questions about death. Their mothers (N = 37) responded in writing to 16 questions about death that children are likely to ask. Results showed significant relationships between age and understanding, between seriation ability and understanding, and between death experience and understanding. There was no statistically significant relationship between maternal response competence and children's understandings of death. Implications are discussed.

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Abstract:Research literature has shown that violence against children poses a serious threat to public health and exacts a profound toll on society overall. However, corporal punishment continues to be used extensively in many countries despite the United Nation's call for its prohibition in all contexts in member states. Notwithstanding the significant progress Jamaica has made in advancing the rights of children, it is one of the member states in which corporal punishment remains pervasive. The purpose of the current article is to review the literature on the prevalence and scope of corporal punishment of children in the Jamaican context. In addition to presenting information on corporal punishment and its consequences, the article discusses the prevailing cultural dynamics and the debate surrounding the issue. Further, the article proposes strategies for addressing existing child socialization norms and beliefs about the efficacy of corporal punishment and offers suggestions to stakeholders regarding workable approaches to limiting the potential adverse outcomes for children and for society. It is presumed that legislative, educational, and media endeavors will be beneficial to reducing the incidence of corporal punishment of children in Jamaica.