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Argumentative Essay: Should Corporal Punishment Have a Place in Education?

Corporal punishment is the act of using physical force to punish a student for wrongdoing. It might involve a ruler across the back of the hand or a cane to the rear. Corporal punishment has since been outlawed as a cruel and unusual punishment. In this essay, I explore the for and against of implementing corporal punishment within education.

One reason to bring back corporal punishment is to give power back to teachers again. Teaching staff often struggle to chastise students because current punishments have no intimidation power. If they have no power to intimidate students, there’s nothing to fear and no deterrent. A lack of corporal punishment leaves teachers powerless to prevent bad behavior.

On the other hand, corporal punishment often causes injuries and trauma unnecessarily. Many acts of corporal punishment leave visible marks and bruises. The mental anguish, particularly for vulnerable students, can last a lifetime. This doesn’t have the effect of dealing with bad behavior. It can lead directly to lifelong mental problems.

There are also studies showing corporal punishment has no effect on bad behavior. They demonstrate the behavior altering effects is actually trauma coming to the surface. This can cause chronic low confidence and low self-esteem.

Corporal punishment is a viable alternative to suspension. Children often don’t enjoy school. A suspension from school can send out the message it’s a reward rather than a punishment. Using corporal punishment keeps students in school and punishes them, therefore making it clear it isn’t a reward.

There’s always the risk of it leading to abuse in the classroom, however. Teachers do differ in how hard they hit a student. There’s a difference between a 100-pound female teacher and a 250-pound male teacher delivering corporal punishment. This leads to an uneven system whereby the severity of the punishment largely revolves around luck. It’s unfair on students and only makes abuse by teachers more likely.

When a student is punished severely, parents often have to leave work to collect them and take them home again. It disrupts the school schedule and the parent’s schedule. Constant call-outs could lead to a parent losing their job for being unreliable. It can cause a great deal of damage to a family. Corporal punishment stops this from happening because it places the trust in the hands of the teachers.

Putting trust in teachers isn’t something everyone is willing to do, however. Sexual abuse is a major topic in schools and parents are rightly worried about the chances of this abuse manifesting itself. Abuse comes in many different forms. A male teacher could touch a female student on the breast and claim he was meant to touch her on the shoulder. All corporal punishment does is increase the likelihood of sexual abuse occurring.

These are the main arguments for and against corporal punishment. They discuss the practical aspects and the potential flaws of the system. I believe corporal punishment is a flawed system and there are superior alternatives to discipline, such as expulsion and community service. They offer up a punishment without the abuse.

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Pro and Con: Corporal Punishment

To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether corporal punishment should be allowed in K-12 schools, go to ProCon.org .

Nineteen states in the US legally permit corporal punishment in public schools, while 31 states ban the practice. Corporal punishment is defined as a “physical punishment” and a “punishment that involves hitting someone.” In K-12 schools, corporal punishment is often spanking, with either a hand or paddle, or striking a student across his/her hand with a ruler or leather strap. More extreme instances, including the use of a chemical spray and Taser, have also been recorded by US schools.

In 2014, 94% of parents with children three to four years old reported that they had spanked their child within the past year, and 76% of men and 65% of women agreed with the statement, “a child sometimes needs a good spanking.” The debate over corporal punishment, especially in schools, remains vigorous

Nineteen states permit corporal punishment in public schools via law: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Thirty-one states and DC ban corporal punishment in public schools: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Three states with a ban on corporal punishment allow teachers to use “a reasonable degree of force” on a child who is creating a disturbance: Maine, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.

70% of corporal punishment happens in five states—Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas—with the latter two making up 35% of all cases.

There is no federal ban or law regulating corporal punishment, but the practice is prohibited in the federal Head Start program. In 1977, the US Supreme Court decision in Ingraham v. Wright found that corporal punishment was not cruel and unusual punishment and is, thus, allowed in schools. No more recent federal court ruling has been made.

Data shows that more than 109,000 students (down from 163,333 in the 2011-2012 school year) were physically punished in more than 4,000 schools in 21 states during the 2013-2014 school year, including some students in states where the practice is banned. Rural, low-income, black, male students were more likely to have experienced corporal punishment. Children with disabilities also experience corporal punishment at higher rates than other students.

Some school districts have very specific rules for the punishment. Central Parish in Louisiana states that three swats with a paddle “approximately 20 inches long, 4 inches wide, and not exceeding ¼ inch in thickness” is the appropriate punishment. However, other districts do not offer guidance. Daryl Scoggin, the superintendent of the Tate County, Mississippi, school district stated: “It’s kind of like, I had it done to me, and so I knew what I needed to do. I guess it’s more that you learn by watching… We don’t practice on dummies or anything like that.”

Internationally , 60 countries ban corporal punishment in all instances, including at home. Those countries include Japan and the Seychelles, both of which passed laws in 2020, and Sweden, which passed a ban in 1979. Most countries ban corporal punishment in some instances. According to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, sixteen countries do not ban corporal punishment in any instances: Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Dominica, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Palestine, Tuvalu, and Tanzania.

• Corporal punishment is the appropriate discipline for certain children when used in moderation.
• Corporal punishment sets clear boundaries and motivates children to behave in school.
• Corporal punishment is often chosen by students over suspension or detention.
• Corporal punishment can inflict long-lasting physical and mental harm on students.
• Corporal punishment creates an unsafe and violent school environment.
• Corporal punishment is an inappropriate punishment that harms the education of children.

This article was published on November 2, 2020, at Britannica’s ProCon.org , a nonpartisan issue-information source.

18 Corporal Punishment Pros and Cons

Although 31 states have currently banned the practice of corporal punishment, there are 19 states which permit it to be used in schools. It is defined as a physical punishment which involves hitting someone. Most schools will practice corporal punishment through the use of paddling or a hand in the form of spanking.

There are extreme instances of corporal punishment practiced in schools that use tasers, chemical sprays, and leather straps.

Even though 94% of parents with children under four years of age report that they have spent their child at least once with in the past year, and another 76% of men say that a child sometimes needs to be spanked, corporal punishment in schools remains a controversial subject.

Is it OK to hit a child as a form of discipline? What alternative forms of punishment for negative behaviors be more appropriate? These are the pros and cons of corporal punishment to review.

List of the Pros of Corporal Punishment

1. It can be useful when used in moderation. Most of the concerns which are associated with the use of corporal punishment come from using it excessively. The occasional use of physical punishment because of serious behavioral issues can’t be appropriate for some children when other disciplinary actions have not yelled at results. Taking away toys, or assigning a timeout spot, are not always valid with rambunctious children.

Some kids prefer to push the limits of the adults around them to understand what structures are appropriate. These are the children who typically respond in severe circumstances to a physical consequence that is appropriate for the behaviors they have chosen.

2. It sets clear boundaries that motivate children to behave at home or in school. Kids make better decisions about their actions and behaviors when they understand what the penalties for misbehaving happen to be. This process allows each child to exercise and enhanced level of self-control. Advantages like this occur when the child understands that there are specific boundaries which cannot be crossed in certain circumstances.

The effect of corporal punishment can prevent children from continuing on with her negative choices that may want to allow them to accept criminal behavior that is something which is societally acceptable.

3. It tends to be a choice that students prefer. Students were given a choice between detention, suspension, or corporal punishment will often choose the latter. That is because it is a swift punishment which doesn’t cause older kids to miss classes, activities, or valuable time on the playground. Disadvantage allows the child education to remain on interrupted, reducing the need for make-up work because they are missing class instructions.

4. It follows very precise rules when implemented. Although some school districts do not offer guidance to their teachers or administrators regarding the application of corporal punishment, most have rules which must be followed when this disciplinary action is implemented. Louisiana’s Central Parish requires that three swats what’s the panel that is about 20 inches long and 4 inches wide is the appropriate punishment.

5. It creates a shock factor for children. Kids don’t always realize that they’re about to rush into a dangerous situation. The behaviors that they display at school or at home may not seem like a poor decision to them. Corporal punishment, in whatever form it is applied, creates a shocking circumstance for the child which helps them to remember that their choices could create harm in some way.

Although spanking may not change short-term behaviors, it does create a message which can ring out loud and clear to children who are exploring boundaries. The circumstances around the consequence create a lasting memory which sticks with them for months or years afterward.

6. It requires parents for professionals to follow up after the consequence is administered. One of the reasons why corporal punishment, what usually takes the form of spanking, feels like an abusive situation it’s because the physical consequences are only given. Parents, teachers, and administrators must follow up with each child after a consequence to ensure that they understand the reasons why it was given. This outcome only occurs when the consequence is provided in an environment which is loving and calm.

Most of the disadvantages that come with the use of corporal punishment are directly associated with its use when a parent or teacher are frustrated in the heat of the moment. Spanking, or any other form of physical consequences, should never be handed out when the person doing it feels anger toward the child.

7. It can be a way to teach respect for some children. The use of corporal punishment instills a level of respect in kids who struggle to interact with authority figures. It establishes a boundary between who is in charge, and what the rules happen to be. This process can then help to lay the groundwork for some children to understand the moments where they are asked to listen compared to the moments when they are allowed to explore personal choices with more freedom.

8. Every method of discipline is ineffective at some point. When you are trying to discipline a two-year-old, there comes a time at that age when no disciplinary method really works well. Any technique that is repeated enough times, including spanking and corporal punishment, will eventually get through to the child.

Although there can be some long-term consequences for children when this method of discipline is not applied in a loving environment, the benefits of using yet often outweigh the potential outcomes which would occur if no form of discipline was used at all.

List of the Cons of Corporal Punishment

1. Corporal punishment inflicts long-term harm both physically and mentally on children. Children who receive physical punishment for their problematic behaviors are more likely to respond with aggression and have problems with attention compared to students who receive other forms of consequences. Studies have shown that frequent use of corporal punishment increases the risks of substance abuse, depression, stress, and anxiety for children of all ages. Kids who experience this type of discipline are also more likely to relate to various forms of violence involving power, which means they are more likely than the general population to become abusive later in life or display bullying behaviors.

2. Corporal punishment creates unsafe environments. Whether physical punishments are used at home or in school, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that such consequences contribute to violent and disruptive behaviors in children. Kids to experience corporal punishment are more likely to hit other people as a method of circumstance to get their way. This behavior increases the risk of physical abuse within the classroom, at home, and even in public situations. The use of corporal punishment will signal to a child that this is the best way to settle and interpersonal conflict, which is why they turn to this behavior when they need something.

3. Corporal punishment harms the educational process for children. Research into corporal punishment has shown that it has negative of fax, which is why it has been banned in military training and prisons in the United States. Even animals are protected from this type of punishment in all 50 states. When it occurs in a school, the students who are exposed to physical punishment as early as kindergarten are more likely to have lower vocabulary scores by the time they reach fourth grade. They also have lower fifth-grade math scores.

The schools in states were corporal punishment is permitted perform worse on the national academic assessment each year compared to the states that prohibit corporal punishment.

4. It is a practice which is banned by a majority of the developed world. There are 54 countries which banned corporal punishment in every circumstance, including as a consequence option for parents at home. Other countries ban corporal punishment in most circumstances. There are only nine countries in the world which do not have any restrictions on the use of corporal punishment in any circumstance. Those nations are Guiana, Botswana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and Tanzania.

The response of the United States to the use of corporal punishment involves using it as a traditional means of disciplinary action instead of having a logical reason for it. As Daryl Scoggin, the superintendent of the school district and Tate County, Mississippi, told EdWeek.org, “it’s kind of like, I had it done to me, and so I knew what I needed to do. I guess it’s more that you learn by watching. We don’t practice on dummies or anything like that.”

5. There is the potential that someone could administer it incorrectly. The most effective use of corporal punishment involves children who are in the preschool age range which have committed willful disobedience. It should never be used when a young child decides to commit a small act of defiance. Infants should never receive a physical consequence because they do not have the capability to understand the difference between a right or wrong decision. Older children with strong communication abilities might experience a better outcome if they were given a chance to speak about their behaviors in a safe environment.

If corporal punishment is administered incorrectly, the likely outcome is that the child will feel guilt or shame that is not associated with the behaviors that someone is trying to correct. The risks of resorting to this consequence in a moment of anger are what limit its overall effectiveness.

6. It creates an environment of fear for the child. Although there are advantages in the creation of a shock factor when trying to teach a child a lesson, there is a difference between teaching through fear and teaching through love and concern. Far too often, kids see the administration of a physical consequence as a reason to fear the person who is giving it out. That expression of emotion doesn’t create a respectful relationship between the child and the other party involved. It creates compliance due to fear of another physical consequence instead.

This process creates a circumstance where the child may still not understand the difference between right and wrong. Their choices become based on deciding whether or not they want to receive the corporal punishment.

7. There is a fine line between discipline and abuse with corporal punishment. There were 41 children placed into foster care by state officials in Georgia in 2001 because of allegations that the congregation of a church we’re beating these kids at the urging of their pastor. When interviewed about their behaviors, the members of the church said that they whipped the kids because it was a punishment for their incorrect choices. The parents involved refused an offer by the state to have their kids return and exchange for agreeing not to use corporal punishment in that way.

8. It communicates a set of values that one may not want their children to have. The use of corporal punishment, even though it becomes a disciplinary tool, is a way to communicate specific values to a child. As Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, co-author of a book about hyperparenting, tells WebMD: “our children almost invariably pick up our values as we live them. So, if we demonstrate to our kids that hitting is an appropriate way to deal with this pleasure, we shouldn’t be surprised when they do the same thing.”

9. It has the same failure rate as other forms of discipline. Dr. Murray A. Strauss, co-Director of the Family Research Laboratory, says that there is one reason why spanking and other forms of corporal punishment feel like an effective approach. He says that spanking offers the same immediate failure rate as other disciplinary measures that parents try. The reason why it seems like the right course of action to take for consequences is that it is there a method of last resort.

10. It creates a risk of injury to the child. The size difference between an adult and a child creates the risk of injury to kids who receive corporal punishment. That is one of the many reasons why parents to use physical punishment in the past expressed regret for their decisions today. Those who do keep using it tend to have received it themselves when they were growing up. This process creates a cycle of behavior that makes more likely for some children to experience injuries because of their discipline that could be worse than the natural outcome of a poor decision.

These pros and cons of corporal punishment are not intended to serve as a moral guideline for those who preferred to use it or for those who avoid it. There are tangible consequences which can last for a lifetime when children are exposed to corporal punishment over a long time. This approach may also teach some children specific boundaries of safety, like remembering to look both ways before crossing the street, that can protect them from harm as they grow up. Each family, and each school district, must make decisions that reflect what will best serve the needs of their children.

Corporal Punishment in K-12 Schools – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Corporal punishment is defined as a “physical punishment” and a “punishment that involves hitting someone.” In K-12 schools, corporal punishment is often spanking, with either a hand or paddle, or striking a student across his/her hand with a ruler or leather strap. More extreme instances, including the use of a chemical spray and Taser , have also been recorded by American schools. [ 2 ] [ 7 ]

In 2014, 94% of parents with children three to four years old reported that they had spanked their child within the past year, and 76% of men and 65% of women agreed with the statement, “a child sometimes needs a good spanking.” However, a study of the prevalence spanking from 1993 to 2017 found a decrease in the practice from 60% to 39% among parents with 2 to 12 year olds. [ 9 ] [ 33 ]

27 states and D.C. “expressly prohibit” corporal punishment: Alaska, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. [ 32 ]

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “depending on the state, corporal punishment remains legal because state law either expressly allows corporal punishment in at least some circumstances or does not expressly prohibit it. The following states expressly allow corporal punishment in schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Some states that expressly allow corporal punishment also expressly prohibit it for students with disabilities, see, e.g., Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Other states do not expressly prohibit corporal punishment in schools, those states are: Colorado (prohibits only for students with disabilities), Connecticut, Kansas, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, and South Dakota.” [ 32 ]

Over 70% of corporal punishment happens in just four states—Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas—with Mississippi alone accounting for almost 25%. [ 35 ]

There is no federal ban or law regulating corporal punishment, but the practice is prohibited in the federal Head Start program. In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ingraham v. Wright found that corporal punishment was not cruel and unusual punishment and is, thus, allowed in schools. No more recent federal court ruling has been made. [ 4 ]

On Mar. 24, 2023, Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona sent a letter to state leaders saying “if the use of corporal punishment is permitted or practiced in schools and educational settings within your state or district, I urge you to move swiftly toward condemning and eliminating it…. Schools should be safe places where all students and educators interact in positive ways that foster students’ growth, belonging, and dignity—not places that teach or exacerbate violence and fear. Let’s all work together to move away from this harmful practice and to create learning environments that are safe and supportive for all students.” No states appear to have changed their laws since receiving the letter. [ 32 ]

According to the newest available data, more than 109,000 students (down from 163,333 in the 2011-2012 school year) were physically punished in more than 4,000 schools in 21 states during the 2013-2014 school year, including some students in states where the practice is banned. Rural, low-income, black, male students were more likely to have experienced corporal punishment. Children with disabilities also experience corporal punishment at higher rates than other students. [ 4 ] [ 9 ] [ 12 ]

Some school districts have very specific rules for the punishment. Central Parish in Louisiana states that three swats with a paddle “approximately 20 inches long, 4 inches wide, and not exceeding ¼ inch in thickness” is the appropriate punishment. However, other districts do not offer guidance. Daryl Scoggin, the superintendent of the Tate County, Mississippi, school district stated: “It’s kind of like, I had it done to me, and so I knew what I needed to do. I guess it’s more that you learn by watching… We don’t practice on dummies or anything like that.” [ 4 ]

Internationally, 65 countries ban corporal punishment in all instances, including at home. Those countries include Zambia and Mauritius, both of which most recently passed laws in 2022, and Sweden, which passed the first ban in 1979. Most countries ban corporal punishment in some instances. According to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 15 countries do not ban corporal punishment in any instances and 29 countries allow corporal punishment (including caning) as a sentence for minors who have committed crimes. [ 6 ] [ 30 ] [ 34 ]

Should Corporal Punishment Be Used in K-12 Schools?

Pro 1 Corporal punishment is the appropriate discipline for certain children when used in moderation. Occasional use of corporal punishment for serious behavioral issues is appropriate because time-out or taking away a toy may not work to correct behavior in a particularly willful or rambunctious child. The negative effects of corporal punishment cited by critics are attached to prolonged and excessive use of the punishment. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] LaShaun Williams, founder of childcare group Sitter Circle, states, “there are some children who like to push their limits. Those are the children who may require a pop. Knowing your child is the key to nailing down the most effective forms of discipline…. Today’s disrespectful youth have shown what happens when necessary spanking is forgone.” [ 24 ] Read More

Pro 2 Corporal punishment sets clear boundaries and motivates children to behave in school. Children are better able to make decisions about their behavior, exercise self-control, and be accountable for their actions when they understand the penalty they face for misbehaving is comparable to their actions. [ 24 ] Harold Bennet, President and Dean of the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary, states, “children need to understand boundaries and I think that children need to understand that there should be punishments… in direct proportion to the improper behavior that they might demonstrate.” [ 16 ] Some experts state that corporal punishment prevents children from persisting in their bad behavior and growing up to be criminals. [ 27 ] Read More

Pro 3 Corporal punishment is often chosen by students over suspension or detention. When given the choice, some students frequently choose corporal punishment because it is a quick punishment that doesn’t cause older children to miss class or other activities, or younger children to miss their valued time on the playground. The child’s education is not interrupted and make-up work is not required for missed class instruction. [ 26 ] A former high school senior at Robbinsville High School in North Carolina, stated she chose corporal punishment over in-school suspension when her phone rang in class. Her principal, David Matheson, stated, “Most kids will tell you that they choose the paddling so they don’t miss class.” [ 26 ] Read More

Con 1 Corporal punishment can inflict long-lasting physical and mental harm on students. Children who have been physically punished are more likely to have problems with aggression and attention. [ 15 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] Studies have shown that frequent use of corporal punishment leads to a higher risk for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, stress, and other mental health concerns. Children who experience corporal punishment are more likely to relate forms of violence with power, and are, therefore, more likely to be a bully or abuse a partner. [ 17 ] [ 18 ] Read More

Con 2 Corporal punishment creates an unsafe and violent school environment. The American Academy of Pediatrics says corporal punishment “may contribute to disruptive and violent student behavior.” [ 11 ] Children who experience corporal punishment are more likely to hit or use other violence against people in order to get their way, which places other children at risk for increased bullying and physical abuse and teachers in potentially violent classrooms. [ 17 ] [ 18 ] The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry states, “[c]orporal punishment signals to the child that a way to settle interpersonal conflicts is to use physical force and inflict pain. Such children may in turn resort to such behavior themselves.” [ 10 ] Read More

Con 3 Corporal punishment is an inappropriate punishment that harms the education of children. Corporal punishment has been banned in U.S. prisons and military training, and animals are protected from the same sort of punishment in every state. [ 14 ] Students who experience corporal punishment in kindergarten are more likely to have lower vocabulary scores in fourth grade and lower fifth grade math scores. [ 17 ] According to the National Women’s Law Center, “harsh physical punishments do not improve students’ in-school behavior or academic performance. In fact… schools in states where corporal punishment is used perform worse on national academic assessments than schools in states that prohibit corporal punishment.” [ 14 ] Read More

Discussion Questions

1. Should corporal punishment be used in K-12 schools? Why or why not?

2. Should federal laws about the use of corporal punishment be established? Why or why not?

3. Should corporal punishment be allowed in certain circumstances? Which situations? Why or why not?

Take Action

1. Evaluate an opinion article from a former educator about the use of corporal punishment .

2. Learn about the laws governing corporal punishment in the United States.

3. Consider the Southern Poverty Law Center and the UCLA Center for Civil Rights Remedies report on corporal punishment inequities .

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing U.S. national senators and representatives .

ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA

Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

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The New York Times

The learning network | should schools be allowed to use corporal punishment.

Should Schools Be Allowed to Use Corporal Punishment?

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

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Corporal — physical — punishment of students has a long history, and 20 states still permit its use. What are the arguments for and against corporal punishment? Should administrators and teachers be allowed to discipline students physically? Why or why not?

In the article “Schools Under Pressure to Spare the Rod Forever,” Dan Frosch tells the story of one case, and then puts it into larger context:

When Tyler Anastopoulos got in trouble for skipping detention at his high school recently, he received the same punishment that students in parts of rural Texas have been getting for generations. Tyler, an 11th grader from Wichita Falls, was sent to the assistant principal and given three swift swats to the backside with a paddle, recalled Angie Herring, his mother. The blows were so severe that they caused deep bruises and the boy wound up in the hospital, Ms. Herring said. While the image of the high school principal patrolling the halls with paddle in hand is largely of the past, corporal punishment is still alive in 20 states, according to the Center for Effective Discipline, a group that tracks its use in schools around the country and advocates for its end. Most of those states are in the South, where paddling remains ingrained in the social and family fabric of some communities. Each year, prodded by child safety advocates, state legislatures debate whether corporal punishment amounts to an archaic form of child abuse or an effective means of discipline. This month, Tyler, who attends City View Junior/Senior High School, told his story to lawmakers in Texas, which is considering a ban on corporal punishment. The same week, legislators in New Mexico voted to end the practice there. Texas schools, Ms. Herring fumed, appear to have free rein in disciplining a student, “as long as you don’t kill him.” “If I did that to my son,” she said, “I’d go to jail.”

Students: Tell us what you think about corporal punishment in school. Is it permitted, and used, in your state and your school? Do you support or oppose it, and why? What do you think about the fact that some students and alumni — not just school officials — think corporal punishment should be used in school?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. Please use only your first name. For privacy policy reasons, we will not publish student comments that include a last name.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

I do not believe in corporal punishment meted out by anyone, even parents, after the age of 6/7 yrs. There is no need when a child is old enough to be reasoned with. You use the word “discipline” as a synonym for “punishment” which is NOT what it really means. It comes from the same root as “disciple” which means “a follower”. We discipline children to lead them into what we believe to be correct thinking and action, not to punish.

no I dont think schools should use corporal punishment, kids need discipline not punishiment and many faculty and staff members in schools get this term confused, yes there are kids that get iss or oss more often then others but they just need more discipline, thats all.

no i would not like to be a teacher because there are WAY to many kids,I mean i can handle kids but not that many i would have to be a sub teacher!

No because it would be wrong. Kids now days won’t take punishment. They would fight back and there would alot of fighting.

I personally believe that schools should not use corporal punishment, just as the mother in the article said, she would be sent to jail if she beat her son the way some southern schools still do. The teachers who act upon children in those ways would be locked up in an instant if any caring mother or father saw this happening. Its abuse.

i strongly disagree with corporal punishment. i think that if children are hit or “corporaly punished” then they will most definetly grow up thinking the only way to pursuad people to their way of thinking is to hit them.

Corporal punishment should be banned from any city sate. I believe this because when you hit kids they grow up two ways. One is that you can be crazy and hate your parents, another one is that you can grow trying to make mistake because of the fear of getting hit. I was never hit as a child and will not hit my child I think a time out or taking something away would work. Some parents just need to sit down with their kids.

I believe corporal punishment is wrong because if parents are not allowed to punish their own kids in that way then other people, specially people that are probably not related, shouldn’t be allowed to even touch the kids. Verbal Disciplines should be more than enough.

i think schools should be able to use corporal punishment. we would have less students suspended and RPCed. we would have have stronger students and less cry babies

Is this question really being asked? Should teachers be able to beat students? I personally think that all punishment consequences should be left to the parent, and the parent only .Verbal discipline should be all that teachers, principle, and pretty much anyone that is not that child’s parent be allowed to do to reprimand the child. if a child can call child abuse on their parents for hitting them and the parents go to jail, why should teachers be allowed to do it and not have consequences. Corporal punishment should not be allowed back in the hands of teachers and administration.

I think corporal punishment should be banned from every state. Students shouldn’t get hit at school when their parents don’t even hit them at home. I think teachers should just use verbal discipline on the students and just leave the rest to their parents.

I disagree with corporal punishment because kids now would want to fight the teachers. When kids get sent to the deans office they will argue for even the smallest things like dresscode.Teacher’s are already strict, so theres no purpose for corpral punishment.Kids that get beat will grow up and treat their kids and abuse them. To me corporal punishment is a bad method for school.

I don’t think school should allow corporal punishment students. In the state of Nevada corporal punishment is not allow in school or anywhere. I’m opposing it because students these days are very smart and understandable to orders when they now there is doing something wrong. Students don’t need corporal punishment to obey orders. I don’t other people should think that corporal punishment is right. By hurting humans they will never understand they correct way of taking orders.

Corporal punishment is just another way of having frightened students. Teacher shouldn’t set any punishment what’s so ever. Responsible Parent’s should already be taking care of that, not teachers. Teacher should only focus on their job, which is teaching

To this response I say it is a cruel and unusual punishment, to have someone whip another child in a school district. Therefore I have to oppose the beating that is supposedly a punishment in school. The question I have for you is how would you feel if you where spank in school then laughed at in your face by peers plus the teachers. That is all I have to say for this “should schools be allowed to use corporal punishment?”

No they shouldn’t be allowed to use corpral punishment! Because it’s not that serious for the students,some kids will talk back and not listen or even fight back. I think it’s not right you should leave it up to the parent for your child behavior.

Yes, schools should be allowed to use corporal punishment. It’s a good punishment to use with students who don’t obey the school rules. Some students are spoiled and snotty, and behave super badly but get away with everything. Some students don’t get punishment by their parents and so they do but bad things. I remember that I was in Mexico and teachers hit students with paddles. They actually behave and listen to the teacher when she is teaching the lesson. So I believe in this punishment, students will learn a lot better.

Yes, I think school should be allowed to use corporal punishment. By allowing teachers using the corporal punishment students are less likely to talk back. Students are going to start doing their work because they do not when to be hit by the teachers. My dad told me when he was in school at Mexico he gets hit if he did not do his work in school. My dad thinks I have a good life at school because I do not get hit at school. If I did get hit at school I get good grades and my dad be happy.

Students should be given a physical punishment. If the pain is hard enough, and they continue to misbehave, them it might help them learn to behave and it would help build character.

I do not think that would be fair at all. Because if a teacher doesn’t like a student just beause. they could punish them for no reason and make up something.My answer is no they should not be able to have corporal punishment.

I dont think that schools should be able to do that. There is a thing call Child Abusse, which makes it against the law to hit kids. Only your parents should do that because they made you. So if the school hits you that is against that law, and they can get punished in the court of law, and they wont teacher at that school any more. Thats what i think about that at schools.

No way! i think that is wrong and not fair.Okay i know we dont act are best in class but they should not put there hands on us, its not the old school we dont do that no more. I feel that most of the times my teachers get on my nerves and i snap so…basically that pushing me off the cliff.

I am a future educator studying for my Elementary and Special Ed degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez must sign HB 172 to end corporal punishment in New Mexico schools because it is an archaic and unethical practice.

I believe that God did not make children’s bodies to be hit with a wooden board. Plain Talk About Spanking (read it at //nospank.net/pt2011.htm ) talks about the physical repercussions of hitting a child.

Parents would go to jail for the kind of bruises caused by educators but somehow the educators get away with it! It’s mind-boggling!

If Governor Martinez signs this bill, it would bring the number of states where it is legal down to 19 and it would send a resounding message to the lawmakers of other paddling states that they need to address this issue as well. If she does not sign it by April 8, it dies by pocket veto and it will encourage paddlers that they can continue to get away with their abuse.

Please call Gov. Martinez every day and get at least ten of your friends to do the same! Call 505-476-2200 and urge her to sign House Bill 172!

YES some kids need to be dicplaned but most kids don’t need this.kids dont want to listen so warn them into line.if a teacher hit me I would hit back.so would most kids .

Honestly i dont think it should be aloud because its not really teaching them a lesson it just builds a hostile situation between the teacher and the student. If a teacher were to hit me he would get hit back. So no i dont think that should be aloud.

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Corporal punishment and health

• Corporal or physical punishment is highly prevalent globally, both in homes and schools. Around 60% of children aged 2–14 years regularly suffer physical punishment by their parents or other caregivers. In some countries, almost all students report being physically punished by school staff. The risk of being physically punished is similar for boys and girls, and for children from wealthy and poor households.
• Evidence shows corporal punishment increases children’s behavioural problems over time and has no positive outcomes.
• All corporal punishment, however mild or light, carries an inbuilt risk of escalation. Studies suggest that parents who used corporal punishment are at heightened risk of perpetrating severe maltreatment.
• Corporal punishment is linked to a range of negative outcomes for children across countries and cultures, including physical and mental ill-health, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, increased aggression and perpetration of violence.
• Corporal punishment is a violation of children’s rights to respect for physical integrity and human dignity, health, development, education and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• The elimination of violence against children is called for in several targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development but most explicitly in Target 16.2: “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children”.
• Corporal punishment and the associated harms are preventable through multisectoral and multifaceted approaches, including law reform, changing harmful norms around child rearing and punishment, parent and caregiver support, and school-based programming.

Corporal or physical punishment is defined by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which oversees the  Convention on the Rights of the Child , as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light.”

According to the Committee, this mostly involves hitting (smacking, slapping, spanking) children with a hand or implement (whip, stick, belt, shoe, wooden spoon or similar) but it can also involve, for example, kicking, shaking or throwing children, scratching, pinching, biting, pulling hair or boxing ears, forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions, burning, scalding or forced ingestion.

Other non-physical forms of punishment can be cruel and degrading, and thus also incompatible with the Convention, and often accompany and overlap with physical punishment. These include punishments which belittle, humiliate, denigrate, scapegoat, threaten, scare or ridicule the child.

UNICEF’s data from nationally representative surveys in 56 countries 2005–2013 show that approximately 6 out of 10 children aged 2–14 years experienced corporal punishment by adults in their households in the past month. On average, 17% of children experienced severe physical punishment (being hit on the head, face or ears or hit hard and repeatedly) but in some countries this figure exceeds 40%. Large variations across countries and regions show the potential for prevention.

Apart from some countries where rates among boys are higher, results from comparable surveys show that the prevalence of corporal punishment is similar for girls and boys. Young children (aged 2–4 years) are as likely, and in some countries more likely, as older children (aged 5–14 years) to be exposed to physical punishment, including harsh forms. Physical disciplinary methods are used even with very young children – comparable surveys conducted in 29 countries 2012–2016 show that 3 in 10 children aged 12–23 months are subjected to spanking.

Most children are exposed to both psychological and physical means of punishment. Many parents and caregivers report using non-violent disciplines measures (such as explaining why the child’s behaviour was wrong, taking away privileges) but these are usually used in combination with violent methods. Children who experience only non-violent forms of discipline are in the minority.

One in 2 children aged 6–17 years (732 million) live in countries where corporal punishment at school is not fully prohibited. Studies have shown that lifetime prevalence of school corporal punishment was above 70% in Africa and Central America, past-year prevalence was above 60% in the WHO Regions of Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia, and past-week prevalence was above 40% in Africa and South-East Asia. Lower rates were found in the WHO Western Pacific Region, with lifetime and past year prevalence around 25%. Physical punishment appeared to be highly prevalent at both primary and secondary school levels.

Consequences

Corporal punishment triggers harmful psychological and physiological responses. Children not only experience pain, sadness, fear, anger, shame and guilt, but feeling threatened also leads to physiological stress and the activation of neural pathways that support dealing with danger. Children who have been physically punished tend to exhibit high hormonal reactivity to stress, overloaded biological systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular and nutritional systems, and changes in brain structure and function.

Despite its widespread acceptability, spanking is also linked to atypical brain function like that of more severe abuse, thereby undermining the frequently cited argument that less severe forms of physical punishment are not harmful. 

A large body of research shows links between corporal punishment and a wide range of negative outcomes, both immediate and long-term:

• direct physical harm, sometimes resulting in severe damage, long-term disability or death;
• mental ill-health, including behavioural and anxiety disorders, depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem, self-harm and suicide attempts, alcohol and drug dependency, hostility and emotional instability, which continue into adulthood;
• impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, specifically emotion regulation and conflict solving skills;
• damage to education, including school dropout and lower academic and occupational success;
• poor moral internalization and increased antisocial behaviour;
• increased aggression in children;
• adult perpetration of violent, antisocial and criminal behaviour;
• indirect physical harm due to overloaded biological systems, including developing cancer, alcohol-related problems, migraine, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and obesity that continue into adulthood;
• increased acceptance and use of other forms of violence; and
• damaged family relationships.

Th ere is some evidence of a dose–response relationship, with studies finding that the association with child aggression and lower achievement in mathematics and reading ability became stronger as the frequency of corporal punish ment increased.

Risk factors

There are few differences in prevalence of corporal punishment by sex or age, although in some places boys and younger children are more at risk. Children with disabilities are more likely to be physically punished than those without disabilities. Parents who were physically punished as children are more likely to physically punish their own children.

In most of the countries with data, children from wealthier households are equally likely to experience violent discipline as those from poorer households. In contrast, in some resource-poor settings, especially where education systems have undergone rapid expansion, the strain on teachers resulting from the limited human and physical resources may lead to a greater use of corporal punishment in the classroom.

Prevention and response

The INSPIRE technical package presents several effective and promising interventions, including:

• Implementation and enforcement of laws to prohibit physical punishment. Such laws ensure children are equally protected under the law on assault as adults and serve an educational rather than punitive function, aiming to increase awareness, shift attitudes towards non-violent childrearing and clarify the responsibilities of parents in their caregiving role.
• Norms and values programmes to transform harmful social norms around child-rearing and child discipline.
• Parent and caregiver support through information and skill-building sessions to develop nurturing, non-violent parenting.
• Education and life skills interventions to build a positive school climate and violence-free environment, and strengthening relationships between students, teachers and administrators.
• Response and support services for early recognition and care of child victims and families to help reduce reoccurrence of violent discipline and lessen its consequences.

T he  earlier such interventions occur in children's lives, the greater the benefits to the child (e.g., cognitive development, behavioural and social competence, educational attainment) and to society (e.g., reduced delinquency and crime).

WHO Response

WHO addresses corporal punishment in multiple cross-cutting ways. In collaboration with partners, WHO provides guidance and technical support for evidence-based prevention and response. Work on several strategies from the INSPIRE technical package, including those on legislation, norms and values, parenting, and school-based violence prevention, contribute to preventing physical punishment. The Global status report on violence against children 2020 monitors countries’ progress in implementing legislation and programmes that help reduce it. WHO also advocates for increased international support for and investment in these evidence-based prevention and response efforts.

• Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children
• International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Violence Against Children – UNICEF Data

85 Corporal Punishment Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best corporal punishment topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 good research topics about corporal punishment, ⭐ simple & easy corporal punishment essay titles, ❓ research questions on corporal punishment.

• Negative Effects of Children’s Corporal Punishment The following is the synthesis of the actual insights, as to the inappropriateness of subjecting children to corporal punishment, contained in the reviewed sources: Corporal punishment results in the social alienation of children.
• Judicial Corporal Punishment: An Update It was not the Salem witch trials of 1692-93 that remained fresh in the minds of justices then but the long period from 1484 to the 1830s when the Catholic Church sentenced devil-worshippers and, by […]
• Corporal Punishment of Preschoolers The author views that most of the research in the area of immediate compliance and corporal punishment is not based on observations but on inquiry from the parents of what type of punishments used and […]
• Child’s Corporal Punishment: Christian vs. Secular Discipline Although the justification for the practice lies in the realm of the religion, perpetuators of the practice is a matter which concerns the public policy; therefore, concerns the legislative and the courts.
• Parental Corporal Punishment of Young Children But did you know that the States is the only permanent and non-permanent member of the United Nations that is not a signatory to Article 19, which condemns and prohibits all forms of physical abuse […]
• Familial Violence and Corporal Punishment Approval It measures culturally based experiences on the articulation of corporal punishment, and the main determining factors that cause the approval of the vice.
• A Critical Review of Corporal Punishment as a Form of Parental Discipline Strauss defines corporal punishment as “the use of physical force with the intention of causing a child pain, but not injury, for the purposes of correction or control of the child’s behavior”.
• Objections to Corporal or Violent Punishment Whatever the form of corporal punishment is imposed, I am firmed with the idea that corporal punishment should not be given to a child, specially in schools, because it will not only harm the child […]
• Corporal Punishment in Australian Children’s Perception The application of the exploratory approach as the foundation for the current study is fully justified since, although there is a plethora of studies about the positive and negative effects of CP, there is a […]
• Children Spanking: Corporal Punishment in America Parents have justified the act of spanking their children by arguing that it is essential in maintaining discipline and making children obey their orders.
• Use of Corporal Punishment in Children Discipline The main objective of the study which employed both qualitative and quantitative research techniques was to establish the reason why corporal punishment was still mentioned in schools even after its ban by the Kenyan government […]
• Cultural View on Corporal Punishment Notable to mention is that, in the current world, the degree of punishment administration is regulated by the law. In the end, this has contributed to the decline of corporal punishment administration.
• The Debate on the Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment The relationship between corporal punishment and naughty behaviors portrays chicken-egg relationship in that, it is difficult to establish which one of two comes first.
• The Consequences of Using Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment as a kind of physical punishment cannot be discussed as the effective method to provide the discipline, but only as the violation of the children’s rights which can lead to the unpredictable consequences […]
• Corporal Punishment and Anti Social Behaviors
• Bring Back Foolishness: Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Child Rearing in History
• Corporal Punishment and Discipline
• Traditional Discipline Techniques and Corporal Punishment
• The Effects and Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools
• Corporal Punishment and Its Effect on Children
• Child Discipline and Corporal Punishment
• Protecting Children: Ending Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment Can Hurt: The Evidence
• Reasonable Corporal Punishment, Its Detrimental Effects
• Child Rearing and Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Parents
• Paternal Psychosocial Characteristics and Corporal Punishment of Their Children
• Corporal Punishment and Its Effect on Learners
• The Good and Bad Side of Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Student Discipline
• School Corporal Punishment and Education
• Corporal Punishment and Children’s Wages in Nineteenth-Century Britain
• The Children May Suffer: The Negative Impacts of Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Abuse
• Spanking: Corporal Punishment and Children
• Corporal Punishment and Its Impact
• Physical Force Causing Pain, Not Wounds: Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and the Effects of Its Usage
• Gender Differences and the Mediating Role of Corporal Punishment
• Capital and Corporal Punishment
• Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child: The Debate on Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Aggression
• Domestic Corporal Punishment Analysis
• Family Corporal Punishment and the Impact It Has on Children
• Corporal Punishment and Physical Abuse
• Corporal Punishment and Its Effect on School Children
• Childhood Abuse: Corporal Punishment
• The Ineffectiveness and Negative Effects of Corporal Punishment in Correcting the Behavior of Children
• Corporal Punishment and Its Effects on a Child’s Behavior
• Physical Discipline and Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and the Damages of Spanking on Children
• Administrator Duties: Corporal Punishment
• Corporal Punishment and Its Usage
• Are Children of Different Ages More Receptive to Corporal Punishment?
• Should the Corporal Punishment Be Allowed in Grade School or No?
• How Could Corporal Punishment Have on a Child?
• Should Corporal Punishment Do by Parents Towards Their Children?
• Why Should Corporal Punishment Be Made Illegal?
• Should Parents Use Corporal Punishment?
• Does Corporal Punishment Affect the Development of Children?
• Should the Death Penalty Be a Type of Corporal Punishment?
• To What Extremes Can and Should Parents Use Corporal Punishment?
• Does Corporal Punishment Make Children Violent?
• Should the U.S. Reinstitute Corporal Punishment?
• Why Is Physical Punishment a Problem?
• What Does ‘Physical Punishment of Children’ Mean?
• Are There Emotional Effects of Corporal Punishment?
• Why Do We Need Research on the Physical and Emotional Punishment of Children?
• Is It Ethical to Ask Children About Painful Experiences?
• Can Corporal Punishment Be Verbal?
• Is Corporal Punishment Used in Schools?
• How Is Corporal Punishment Administered in Schools or Homes?
• Where Did Corporal Punishment Come From?
• Are There Physical Effects of Corporal Punishment? If So, What Are They?
• How Does Corporal Punishment Effect People Socially?
• Does Corporal Punishment Affect Education? If So, How?
• Why Does Corporal Punishment Determine Whether or Not Children Become Violent?
• How Can Corporal Punishment Turn Into Abuse?
• Can Corporal Punishment Affect Adults?
• What Institutions Permit the Use of Corporal Punishment?
• Is Corporal Punishment Used Globally?
• What Countries Have Banned the Use of Corporal Punishment?
• Do Some Countries Use Corporal Punishment in Place of Incarceration?
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Physical discipline is harmful and ineffective

A new APA resolution cites evidence that physical punishment can cause lasting harm for children

By Eve Glicksman

May 2019, Vol 50, No. 5

Print version: page 22

• Physical Abuse and Violence

APA adopted a new policy about the ineffectiveness and dangers of physical discipline against children to raise awareness among parents, caregivers and mental health professionals.

The Resolution on Physical Discipline of Children By Parents , adopted by APA’s Council of Representatives in February, relies on strong and sophisticated longitudinal research that finds physical discipline does not improve behavior and can lead to emotional, behavioral and academic problems over time, even after race, gender and family socioeconomic status have been statistically controlled.

To start, the research finds that hitting children does not teach them about responsibility, conscience development and self-control. "Hitting children does not teach them right from wrong," says Elizabeth Gershoff, PhD, an expert on the effects of corporal punishment on children who provided research for the resolution. "Spanking gets their attention, but they have not internalized why they should do the right thing in the future. They may behave when the adult is there but do whatever they want at other times."

In addition, children learn from watching their parents. Parents who use physical discipline may be teaching their child to resolve conflicts with physical aggression. Researchers found that spanking can elevate a child’s aggression levels as well as diminish the quality of the parent-child relationship. Other studies have documented that physical discipline can escalate into abuse.

The purpose of this resolution is to promote effective forms of discipline for parents that don’t contribute to antisocial behaviors, aggression and trust issues. "Children do not need pain to learn," says Gershoff, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, "We don’t allow aggression among adults. It’s a sad double standard that we don’t give children the same protection against violence."

Better discipline models

Upward of 80 percent of mothers spank their children between kindergarten and third grade, according to a large study conducted by Gershoff ( Child Development , May/June 2012).

Most parents raise children the way they were raised and have not been exposed to other models of discipline, says APA President Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD. "I don’t think most people know how to discipline without spanking. We don’t teach people to do it differently; alternatives seem time-consuming," she says.

The APA resolution presents effective alternatives that draw broadly on respectful communication, collaborative conflict resolution and parental modeling. Specifically, these approaches could include conveying anxiety about a dangerous action, taking away privileges or using praise to shape behavior.

Sometimes, simply ignoring the behavior and not engaging in a fight is the best tactic, says Christina Rodriguez, PhD, an associate professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and chair of the APA Committee on Children, Youth and Families, who led the resolution effort. "Parents need to learn what they should or shouldn’t respond to."

Parents of 3- to 5- year-olds are the most likely to spank. So, what about a preschooler who can’t be reasoned with? Rodriguez advises parents to think strategically and plan ahead. If your child is prone to act out while you get groceries, bring snacks and toys to redirect the child or choose a time to shop when the child isn’t sleepy, she suggests.

Calling a time-out for certain behaviors can be effective but it is often misused as a stand-alone strategy, Gershoff observes. "Looking at a wall for five minutes won’t teach a child how to behave."

Rather, parents need to give children guidance about what to do differently, what is known as "time out from positive reinforcement (TOPR)." This technique makes time-out an opportunity to regroup and think about how to do better next time.

A new study in American Psychologist offers guidelines in using TOPR to maximize the development of the child’s self-regulation skills while avoiding any weakening of the parent-child attachment bond from the time out ( American Psychologist , Feb. 25, 2019).

Give parents the facts

The APA resolution is clear that any perceived short-term benefits from physical discipline do not outweigh the potential detriments. By adopting the resolution, APA joins a number of professional and public health organizations in recommending that parents reject all physical discipline. The resolution also directs APA to support funding for research in the United States and other countries related to why parents turn to physical discipline.

Davis wants to see more training programs on parental discipline for psychologists. Currently, more than 75 APA members are collaborating to create a toolkit to facilitate conversations in the community about disciplining children. Multiple modules are being developed for parents, colleges, civic organizations and places of worship that will include frequently asked questions. APA also offers the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program to teach positive parenting skills.

Rodriguez hopes the resolution will prompt psychologists to guide parents toward healthier discipline practices than were used in the past. Now that we know the risks of not wearing seatbelts, most parents make sure children buckle up, she comments. "Why is it not the same for rejecting physical discipline when the risks are known?"

Some psychologists feel that it’s not their place to tell parents how to discipline their children, Rodriguez says. "But it is long past opinion that physical discipline makes things worse," she says. "It is incumbent on psychologists to take the opportunity to discuss the facts and share what we know. If mental health professionals don’t take this on, then who?"

To read the full APA resolution on child punishment, go to www.apa.org/about/policy/physical-discipline.pdf .

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Essay on Corporal Punishment

Students are often asked to write an essay on Corporal Punishment in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Corporal Punishment

What is corporal punishment.

Corporal punishment means using physical force to punish someone, usually a child. This can include hitting, spanking, or slapping. It is a way some parents and teachers think they can make children behave better or teach them a lesson.

Places Where It’s Used

In many countries, schools and homes use corporal punishment. Some people believe it is a quick way to deal with bad behavior. But more and more places are saying it is wrong and are making rules against it.

Effects on Children

When children are hit, it can hurt their bodies and feelings. They might become scared or angry. Studies show that this kind of punishment can lead to more bad behavior, not less.

Alternatives to Corporal Punishment

Instead of hitting, adults can talk to children, give time-outs, or take away toys or privileges. These methods can help children learn right from wrong without being afraid or hurt.

250 Words Essay on Corporal Punishment

In some countries, hitting kids in schools is illegal, but in others, it’s still allowed. Even some parents think it’s okay to spank their children at home. The idea is that if a child feels pain after doing something bad, they won’t do it again.

Why It’s Not Good

Many people believe that corporal punishment is not a good way to teach children. It can make kids afraid of making mistakes, and they might not trust their teachers or parents. It can also lead to children feeling sad or angry, and it doesn’t really teach them why their behavior was wrong.

What We Can Do Instead

Instead of hitting, adults can talk to children about what they did wrong and why it’s not okay. They can give them a time-out, which means sitting quietly for a little while to think about their actions. Or they can take away something fun for a short time. These ways help children learn about consequences without hurting them.

Corporal punishment is a tough topic. It’s important to understand that there are kinder ways to help kids learn from their mistakes. By talking and using other methods, we can teach without causing pain.

500 Words Essay on Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment means using physical force to punish someone, usually a child, when they have done something wrong. Imagine a teacher hitting a student’s hand with a ruler or a parent spanking their child. This kind of punishment has been around for a very long time and is still used in some places today. People who support it think that it can quickly stop bad behavior and teach children to behave better in the future.

Places Where Corporal Punishment Happens

The debate on corporal punishment.

People have different views on corporal punishment. Some think it’s a good way to make sure children learn right from wrong. They feel that without it, children might not understand the consequences of their actions. Others believe that it can cause more harm than good. They worry that it can lead to children being scared of adults or learning to use violence to solve their own problems.

Studies have shown that hitting children can have many bad effects. It can make children feel sad and alone, and sometimes it can even make them behave worse over time. It can hurt the trust between a child and an adult. Also, children who are punished this way might find it hard to understand why they are being hit, especially if they are very young.

In conclusion, corporal punishment is a way of disciplining children that involves physical force. It is a subject that causes a lot of arguments. While some people think it is necessary, others believe it can be damaging to children. There are many other ways to help children learn right from wrong that don’t involve physical punishment. It is important for adults to think about the best way to help children grow up to be good and happy people, without causing them harm.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

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• Libyan J Med
• v.13(1); 2018

Corporal punishment of children: discipline or abuse?

a Department of Pediatrics at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Touma Boulos Marianne

Lydia khabbaz rabbaa.

b Pharmacology Laboratory, Clinical pharmacy and quality control of medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Bernard Gerbaka

Introduction : Corporal punishment is a public health problem due to its impact on the physical, psychological, and social interactions of children.

Objectives : To determine the knowledge of pediatricians in Lebanon regarding corporal punishment, their preventive, educational, and legal role.

Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 153 pediatricians in Lebanon, by a questionnaire distributed at the 12th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Pediatric Society and the North Lebanon Pediatric Society.

Results : Less than 50% and less then 60% of pediatricians know the effects of physical punishment on the physical and psychic health of the child, respectively. About 74.2% and 23.2% of pediatricians disagree with Article186 of the Lebanese Criminal Code and Lebanese Law422/02 (Article25), respectively. Only 76.2% of Lebanese pediatricians always advise the abandonment of corporal punishment and 4.7% advise its use for discipline.

Conclusion : Pediatricians play a fundamental role in the abolition of corporal punishment, but this cannot be accomplished without improving their skills in this area. They are invited to seek legal reforms in Lebanon to abolish the use of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children.

1. Introduction

Corporal punishment is the most common form of violence experienced by children. About 100 children die every year as victims of corporal punishment and many more suffer from disabilities [ 1 ]. In terms of health, physical punishment of children predisposes to physical illnesses such as asthma [ 2 , 3 ], cardiovascular disease, obesity, arthritis [ 4 ], neoplasia [ 3 ], decreased volume of cerebral gray matter [ 5 ], and increase in the frequency of hospital stays [ 2 ]. In addition, negative experiences in childhood are associated with metabolic diseases in adult age such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein, high glucosylated hemoglobin, reduction in maximum oxygen consumption levels [ 6 ], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol consumption, and liver diseases in adults [ 7 ].

In terms of psychological health, corporal punishment of children predisposes to aggression, delinquency and conjugal violence later in life [ 8 ], antisocial behavior [ 9 ], anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse or dependence, externalization problems [ 10 ], psychopathologies in adulthood such as depression, mania, personality disorders [ 11 ], suicide [ 12 ], disruption of the mechanisms of regulation of stress in the brain [ 13 ], and elevation of the level of cortisol [ 14 ]. Corporal punishment negatively affects the internalization of moral values by the child and his relationship with his parents [ 15 ]. Physical punishment is linked to a slow regression of cognitive development as well as negative effects on the academic pathway [ 16 – 20 ], noncognitive performance and executive functions [ 21 ] as well as alterations in the dopaminergic regions associated with substances and alcohol abuse [ 22 ]. In particular, negative experiences in childhood predispose later in life, to multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, and early initiation of sexual activity [ 23 ]. No studies have demonstrated a positive long-term effect of corporal punishment. Moreover, most studies have shown short-term and long-term negative effects of corporal punishment. It is only recently that children have been legally protected from corporal punishment in a growing number of countries. Our study aims to determine the knowledge of pediatricians about the long-term effect of corporal punishment and their role in family education. This study will specify in particular the preventive and educational role of pediatricians. It may pave the way for further social studies on the subject.

2. Materials and methods

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study that has been conducted among pediatricians in Lebanon to determine their knowledge about corporal punishment and their role in family education. A questionnaire was developed to assess pediatricians’ knowledge of the physical and psychological effects of corporal punishment; their role in public education, prevention of corporal punishment by family education; their opinion about international, regional and national laws of corporal punishment; their suggestions about education, training, information, and legal changes, for better protection of children from corporal punishment.

The questionnaire consists of four parts. The first part evaluate the pediatrician’s knowledge about definition and distribution of corporal punishment and its effect on physical health and behavioral disorders in children. The second part assesses the frequency of pediatricians who apply an actions (discussing and advising the parents) regarding corporal punishment. Additionally, it explores the frequency of pediatricians who use other nonviolent form of discipline at home and how frequently they provide resources to families, like information and referral to other specialties. In this part, the pediatricians were also consulted on the validity of the right to private life, liberty and religious belief. The third part of the questionnaire is designed to study the frequency of pediatrician’s seeking information regarding legal reforms in other countries to prohibit corporal punishment, their knowledge about committees that recommend the states to prohibit the corporal punishment of children. The opinion of pediatricians was evaluated using five questions regarding the legal concepts of international laws on corporal punishment (Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment 13, Recommendation 1666 (2004) ‘Prohibition of corporal punishment of children in Europe’ of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the 8 th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation), As well as national legal concepts such as Article 186 of the Lebanese Penal Code and Lebanese Law 422/02 ‘Article 25’). Pediatricians were also asked if they agree with the legal concept of reasonable punishment and legitimate corrections. The last part of the questionnaire was about pediatrician’s views on their roles in education regarding punishment in the pediatric curriculum, their roles in information at clinics and hospitals, their roles in the Residency training as well as training by the Lebanese Pediatric Society and their legal roles (lobbying to amend the Lebanese Law 422/02, Article 25 plus Article 186 of the Lebanese Penal Code.

The questionnaire was distributed to 300 pediatricians at the 12th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Pediatric Society and the North Lebanon Pediatric Society, on 24–25 April 2015 at Hilton Habtoor Grand Hotel, Beirut-Lebanon. The questionnaire was completely anonymous. The data of the completed questionnaires were converted and calculated by percentages. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for windows release (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY, USA).

The questionnaire was completed by 153 pediatricians out of 300 to whom the questionnaire was distributed. About 71.2% of pediatricians know the united nation’s definition of corporal punishment. About 32.6% of pediatricians know that corporal punishment is widespread in homes, schools, health care facilities, and the state penal system. About 8.5% of pediatricians recognize committees that have recommended the prohibition of corporal punishment of children in states. Less than 50% of pediatricians are aware of the effects of physical punishment on the physical health of the child. Only 59.5% of pediatricians know the psychological effects of corporal punishment ( Tables 1 and 2 ). Only 47% of pediatricians often conduct a discussion with parents about their difficulties in disciplining their children, and 45.7% of pediatricians do so from time to time. 76.2% of Lebanese pediatricians always advise the abandonment of corporal punishment, 4.7% advise the use of corporal punishment under certain conditions (see Figure 1 ). In assessing the role of pediatricians in family education, only 31.1% and 30.5% of pediatricians always discuss with parents, child rearing practices, and positive forms of discipline, respectively. While 6% of them, never do. In addition, only 17.9% of pediatricians provide information sheets to parents who need them. In fact, only 19.9% of pediatricians refer parents to other professionals to help them with their children’s disciplinary problems ( Figure 2 ). Regarding the arguments for corporal punishment, 33.1% of pediatricians consider the right to privacy as a valid argument for the use of corporal punishment, while 62.3% of them totally disagree. Similarly, the right to liberty is considered a valid argument by 34.4% of pediatricians, while 60.9% of them totally disagree. Moreover, 34.4% of pediatricians find that the right to religious belief justifies the use of corporal punishment of children, but 60.3% of them totally disagree. It should be noted that only 8.6% of pediatricians consult legal reforms in other countries that prohibit corporal punishment ( Figure 3 ). The number was shocking regarding the opinion of pediatricians about the legal concepts such as ‘reasonable punishment’ and ‘legitimate correction’, 73.5% of pediatricians agrees that these concepts are sufficient to protect children from violence. Only 0.7% of pediatricians totally disagree. Moreover, 95.2% of pediatricians are aware of the importance of their academic educational role, 96.7% of pediatricians are aware of their role in training pediatric residents and training by the Lebanese Pediatric Society. It should be noted that 87.4% of pediatricians consider themselves responsible for public information such as the distribution of brochures in clinics and hospitals. On the legal side, only 56.9% of pediatricians agree completely with the amendment of Lebanese law 422/02 (article 25), and 58.3% agree with the cancellation of article 186 of the Lebanese penal code (see Figure 4 ). The Lebanese law 422/02 (article 25) defines maltreatment as ‘ the acts that affect negatively and seriously the physical, mental, emotional, social health of the child affecting its development .’, it stipulates that a child is endangered if ‘ exposed to sexual abuse, and physical violence that exceeds the limits of what is culturally acceptable as non-harmful disciplinary beating ’. The Article 186 of the Lebanese Penal Code states the following: ‘ The law permits the types of discipline inflicted on children by their parents and teachers as sanctioned by general custom. ’

Pediatricians response to increased risk of physical health problems with corporal punishment.

Pediatricians response to increased risk of behavioral disorders with child physical punishment.

Frequencies of the disciplinary advises given by the pediatricians to the parents.

Role of pediatricians in family education.

Pediatricians’ opinions on international and national laws of corporal punishment.

Pediatricians’ views of their role in education, information, training, and legal matters in order to protect the child from corporal punishment.

4. Discussion

According to the results obtained, it is noted that the knowledge of pediatricians in the field of corporal punishment is not satisfactory. To our knowledge, it is the first study that asses the skills and knowledge of Lebanese pediatricians in corporal punishment. There is a significant deficit in the knowledge of Lebanese pediatricians about the effects of corporal punishment on the physical and psychological health of the child: less than 50% of pediatricians are aware of the effects of physical punishment on the physical health of the child; only 59.5% of pediatricians know the psychological effects of corporal punishment. This lack of knowledge may be due to a lack of pediatricians’ training in this area. Therefore, the fight against corporal punishment should begin first with the education of pediatricians about corporal punishment and its effects and training in this area, ranging from university courses, to training during their residencies, and a continuation of training by the Lebanese Pediatrics Society.

Then, once pediatricians are well trained, their role is fundamental in public education, especially in family education, by discussing with them the difficulties of disciplining children, the various positive forms of discipline, advising them to abandon corporal punishment, providing them with fact sheets and directing them to other professionals even helping them to understand the natural development of their children. We compare our survey with that of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Division of Child Health Research, on Pediatric Attitudes and Clinical Advice on Corporal Punishment, initiated by the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family (COPACFH), in 1998; of 602 pediatricians[ 24 ]: only 49% advised the abandonment of corporal punishment of children in the family discipline, while in our survey 76.2% of pediatricians in Lebanon always advise the abandonment of corporal punishment. In addition, 42% of pediatricians in the AAP survey advise the use of corporal punishment under certain conditions versus 4.7% in our survey. According to the AAP, 43.7% of pediatricians discuss the difficulties and means of discipline used by parents, versus 92.7% in our study. This discrepancy in results can be attributed to the age of the AAP study done in 1998 when corporal punishment was a silent public health problem, but nowadays many studies have put the short-term and long-term effects of corporal punishment, and even many legal reforms have prohibited the use of corporal punishment, hence pediatricians today are more aware of this problem. However, long time ago, pediatricians have advised families to use positive forms of discipline, 97.8% of pediatricians according to the AAP in 1998, versus 93.4% of pediatricians in our survey.

Similarly, a 1992 study by McCormick KF; in the United States; assessing doctors’ attitudes towards corporal punishment of children [ 25 ]; shows that 59% of pediatricians advocate the use of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children versus 4.7% of pediatricians in our survey. However, the number of pediatricians who discuss the various forms of discipline with parents has been 90%, a figure very close to our survey of 92%. On the other hand, the study by Wissow LS, Roter D., in 1994, entitled ‘Toward Effective Discussion of Discipline and Physical Punishment in Primary Care’ [ 26 ], shows that only 18% of pediatricians discuss the use of corporal punishment with parents and this is due to parents’ fear of being accused of child abuse, and parents often rely on the disciplinary advice given by their families, rather than the advice of pediatricians.

Another similar study, conducted in 2003 by Tirosh E1, on 107 doctors including 95 pediatricians to assess their attitudes toward corporal punishment; shows that 58% of pediatricians still advise the use of corporal punishment, which was still a form of discipline acceptable at that time [ 27 ]. While in our study, only 4.7% still advise corporal punishment as a form of discipline. This is encouraging in the mission of the abolition of corporal punishment, in which pediatricians play a fundamental role. However, the advice given by the pediatrician to parents to abandon corporal punishment in the discipline of children is not sufficient on its own to protect the child from this form of violence. Pediatricians are encouraged to provide parents with better education regarding the discipline of children such as providing them with fact sheets and referring them to other professionals.

On the legal level, in our study 74.2% and 23.2% of pediatricians disagree with Article 186 of the Lebanese Penal Code and Lebanese Law 422/02 (Article 25), respectively. In Lebanon, legal concepts include up to now concept of reasonable punishment and legitimate corrections, thus allowing the corporal punishment according to common usage. Hence, corporal punishment remains a widespread concept that is socially and culturally accepted in Lebanon, which needs a social and cultural legal reform. Pediatricians are invited to ask governments to amend these laws on corporal punishment that violates children’s rights.

5. Study limitations

The results of our study are to be interpreted keeping in mind of some limitations. The response rate was low; however, the sample may be representative since the pediatricians were from all the regions of Lebanon, different religions, different cultural and social habits, and graduated from different universities. In the other hand, our study presents some strength. The questionnaire used was formulated by the team of this study and was adapted to the Lebanese population.

6. Conclusion

The abolition of corporal punishment constitutes a social and public health emergency. Pediatricians play a fundamental role in this process. The abolition of corporal punishment can be achieved by family education, which cannot be accomplished without improving the skills of pediatricians and issuing legal reforms in Lebanon to abolish the use of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Corporal punishment questionnaire

Corporal punishment is the most common form of violence experienced by children. This form of violence is now widely recognized as a public health problem because of its impact on physical and mental health of children and their social, family and professional future interactions. It is only recently that children were legally protected from corporal punishment in a growing number of countries.

Our study aims to determine the knowledge of pediatricians regarding corporal punishment and their role in family education. It shall indicate in particular the preventive and educational role. It opens the way to further social studies on this subject.

• Hitting (‘smacking’, ‘slapping’, ‘spanking’) children, with the hand or with an implement
• Shaking or throwing children
• Pulling hair or boxing ears
• Forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions

• Care settings
• Penal system in states in all world regions

• In your opinion, does corporal punishment increase the risk of the following physical health problems?

• United Nations Human Rights Committee
• United Nations Committee against Torture
• The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the United Nations
• United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
• Committee on the Rights of the Child
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• I do not know
• (12) What do u think about the General comment 13, Article 19?
• I strongly disagree
• I strongly Agree
• (13) What do you about the Recommendation 1666 (2004) from the Parliamentary Assembly of The Council of Europe calling for a Europe-wide ban on corporal punishment of children?
• “any corporal punishment of children is in breach of their fundamental right to human dignity and physical integrity. The fact that such corporal punishment is still lawful in certain member states violates their equally fundamental right to the same legal protection as adults. The social and legal acceptance of corporal punishment of children must be ended.”
• (14) What do you about the Resolution No.8-HWFA/8-CONF on child care and protection in the Islamic world?
• “calls for creating appropriate mechanisms to protect children, and observe their special position as regards the stages of investigation, interrogation and trial in cases relating to physical or sexual violence.”
• (15) What do you about Article 186 of the Lebanese Penal Code states where corporal punishment is lawful in the home:
• “The law permits the types of discipline inflicted on children by their parents and teachers as sanctioned by general custom.”
• I strongly agree
• (16) What do you think about the Lebanese Article 25 of Law 422/02?
• -It defines maltreatment as “ the acts that affect negatively and seriously the physical, mental, emotional, social health of the child affecting its development.”
• -It stipulates that a child is endangered if “exposed to sexual abuse, and physical violence that exceeds the limits of what is culturally acceptable as nonharmful disciplinary beating.”

• (19) Any suggestions or comments.

Corporal punishment good or bad

OP mehak sharma 3 / 7   Feb 28, 2013   #3 Realy thank you so much for your reply its my first experience today with Ur site i was scared about writing topic bt thanx for this .... hope for the same in next topics....

christyj 5 / 15   Feb 28, 2013   #4 hai Mehak.. Try to add full question before starting the answer. capitalize the sentence. write clear opinion in the introduction. read more essays. you can read more essays even in the topic of your essay in the similar discussions which is just above the comment area. leave lines between paragraphs your essay seems to be too short. try to put more words. and always try to follow the time.. Christy..

OP mehak sharma 3 / 7   Feb 28, 2013   #5 ok next time i will correct them as u guide me