The ongoing debate surrounding corporal punishment in schools has become increasingly urgent. Having attended a small-town elementary school until I reached the age of ten, I vividly recall instances where misbehaving students were sent to the principal’s office, which was regarded as a serious punishment. Upon their return, the other children would eagerly inquire, “Did you get hit?” or “How many strikes did you receive?” Even as a child, I sensed that this practice was fundamentally wrong, and my perspective has only solidified over time.
Now, as a parent to a son who is about to turn eight — the same age as those children subjected to corporal punishment — the idea of a school official striking him with a wooden paddle is unfathomable. In our household, we do not resort to spanking; I wasn’t raised in such an environment, making the concept of hitting a child feel utterly alien. The thought of it occurring in a school setting? Absolutely unacceptable.
Living in a state where corporal punishment is banned, I mistakenly believed this outdated practice had been eradicated across the board. However, to my shock, I discovered that 22 states still permit corporal punishment in educational institutions. Of these, 15 states explicitly allow it while seven have no prohibitions against it at all. Astonishingly, the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection reported that 166,807 students were subjected to physical punishment during the 2011–12 school year.
Corporal punishment is defined by the National Association of School Psychologists as the intentional infliction of pain on a student with the aim of correcting or punishing behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long advocated for the legal abolition of corporal punishment, highlighting its potential negative impact on a child’s self-esteem and academic performance, as well as its contribution to disruptive behaviors.
Research suggests that corporal punishment is as ineffective as spanking at home, which has been shown to fail as a disciplinary method. I never altered my behavior out of fear of physical punishment; instead, I learned to respect my teachers and behave appropriately. Children lacking guidance at home require positive reinforcement at school, not violence.
Furthermore, studies indicate that corporal punishment disproportionately affects minority students. According to the Brookings Institution, Black children are twice as likely to face physical punishment compared to their white peers. This disparity is exacerbated in the seven states responsible for 80% of these incidents, where a higher population of Black residents exists. Additionally, students with disabilities are more likely to experience physical discipline, as reported by the ACLU.
It raises the question: who advocates for this harmful practice? Recently, U.S. Education Secretary Mark Thompson called for an end to corporal punishment in all states, emphasizing that the actions permissible under current laws would be classified as criminal assault if directed towards adults.
The educational environment should be a haven for all students, where they can develop academic, social, and behavioral skills. Resorting to physical punishment is neither appropriate nor effective in addressing behavioral issues. Alternative, constructive methods exist, and they should be implemented.
As Thompson articulated, “Corporal punishment has no place in our public schools in a modern nation committed to civil and human rights.” It is high time to retire the paddles, abandon violent methods against children, and modernize our disciplinary practices.
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In summary, corporal punishment in schools is an archaic and damaging practice that should be abolished. With its negative implications for children’s well-being and learning, it is imperative that educational institutions embrace more humane and effective disciplinary strategies.
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