Category: Corporal Punishment

The famous American pediatrician, Benjamin Spock, once said, ‘A child supplies the power, but the parents have to do the steering.’ Amy Chua is an eastern parent who wrote about her parenting style, in the article ‘Tough Love: Parents and Children,’ she explains her rationale for the use of corporal punishment on her child. Chua believes strong discipline is necessary because it prepares children for the future. Also, western parents care too much about their children’s self-esteem and let their children do whatever they want. According to Spock’s statement, parents are responsible for a child’s wellbeing. He does not believe in corporal punishment. He believes parents should nurture their children, not punish them. Amy Chua believes, it is the parent’s right to punish their children, although her spouse disagrees with her parenting style. The use of corporal punishment is not beneficial to raising a child because it disrupts the relationship between the child and parent, it is ‘against the law,’ it has negative repercussions, it can lead to child abuse, it can give some children the wrong message and humiliate the child.

Corporal punishment changes the parent-child relationship to being mistrustful. The trust between parent and child is essential to child development.

‘According to American Family Physician, a peer-review journal states that a parent love for a child is unconditional. The maternal bond between parent and child develops in the womb. Failure to bond will result in a medical condition called failure to thrive. When developed, a child’s growth and development are at risk.’ (Homan)

Therefore, the mother has a considerable influence on infants’ development because the baby’s instinct is to trust. When a parent engages in corporal punishment makes the child not feel safe, causing them to become mistrustful. This engagement is not good because parents needed to teach children about the world and provide life skills to survive. A child needs to trust their parent to learn about these skills because parents will be with a child for a long time. By making the child feel mistrustful, it hurt all future relationship. ‘According to Science Direct, a journal with the largest database of scientific and medical research. Trust begins in early life affect all future relationship in a person’s life.’ (Kostroma) Therefore, using corporal punishment is not beneficial to raising a child since it will continue to hurt them in the long run. A child’s relationship with the parent will be negative because there is no trust. Lack of trust will cause children to be confused about the world, and they will be unable to interact with the world. ‘Amy Chua, a professor of law, made the point that every decent parent wants the best for their child.’ (Chua) She believes that corporal punishment is necessary to be a good parent. However, trust is more valuable in building a relationship between a parent and a child. Building trust with one’s child is necessary because it affects a child’s ability to survive in the world. It the job of the parent to teach children to trust.

Another way the parent-child relationship becomes disrupted is that the child becomes fearful of parents. According to Gracepoint, a wellness center, ‘a child becomes scared of parents who engage spanking, and this action only modifies behavior in the short-run.’ (Oswalt) Corporal punishment means a child will no longer feel safe around the parent, which is problematic since a child must rely on their parents to survive. Corporal punishment is only effective in the short term to reduce negative behavior, so parents should not rely on corporal punishment all the time. It dangerous for children to fear their parents because it can get the child into trouble later. Also, there will come a time when a child grows up and realizes they can defend themselves. If a parent keeps using corporal punishment on this child, the result will be some children may retaliate against their parents because fear compels them to. Therefore, using corporal punishment is unacceptable since it will cause children to hate their parents when used excessively, and both parties are at risk.

However, when parents engage in corporal punishment, it will damage a child’s self-esteem and affecting the relationship. Children need self-esteem to build confidence and engage with the world. ‘An example of damaging a child’s self-esteem from Amy Chua, herself when she forces her seven-year-old daughter to play a complicated piano piece. She punishes her by threatening her with no Christmas or no birthday present. The husband felt that she is insulting and threatening her daughter, was not helpful.’ (Chua 514-515) This example illustrates that corporal punishment can hurt a child since it hurt their self-esteem. The child will believe they cannot do anything if a push by the parent. The child will think negatively of their parents because of their treated too harshly. Chua’s husband’s reaction to his wife since he felt his child punished unfairly.

Corporal punishment is not beneficial to raising a child because it is ‘against the law.’ Children have more protection nowadays than ever before because of new advancements and studies found on children. According to ‘Verywell Family, a website that provides help for pregnancy and parenting states, 53 countries have ban corporal punishment.’ (Morin) Other countries recognize that there is a problem with corporal punishment. The problem of corporal punishment has gained more is recognized due to new studies on children. Many of these studies are claiming that parents should never hit their kids. Although corporal punishment is ‘legal 19 States in the United States of America in the school system,’ most of the states are against it. (Morin) There has been no research that supports the benefits of spanking. Therefore, parents should not use this form of discipline. ‘The American Psychological Association, the largest organization of scientific professionals and psychologists in the United States of America. States the United Nations see corporal punishment as a violation of children’s human rights.’ (Smith) The treatment of children has gained more attention. Therefore, many professionals argue that corporal punishment is against the laws since many are conforming against corporal punishment. If parents continue to use corporal punishment, there could be a severe consequence as children become more protected.

Corporal punishment can lead to adverse effects on children in the long term like mental disorder because it affects them differently. According to MD Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician, ‘adverse childhood events cause toxic stress. These stresses create health problems and emotional problems as children develop into preteen and teen years.’ (Jenkin) The stress a child builds up may come from corporal punishment may lead to mental health issues and could disrupt a person’s social life causing distress. This event could be caused by corporal punishment since it is hard to tell if a child been traumatized. Since an ignorant child believes anything, their parent does and may not realize they have developed a mental disorder. ‘According to Pediatrics, harsh physical punishment increases the chances of mood disorders, anxiety disorders.’ (Afifi) This situation happens when corporal punishment is used excessively on a child. Corporal punishment does not always cause mental health issues; however, every person reacts differently to punishment because they are not the same. Therefore, it dangerous to use corporal punishment since it has the potential to cause mental health disorders.

The use of corporal punishment not benefited from raising a child because it can lead to child abuse. ‘Research shows that corporal punishment is dangerous, but parents are not getting the message. Parents hit children out of frustration because they do not see any other options. Physical punishment does not work to get kids to comply, so parents think they must keep escalating it. That why it is so dangerous.’ (Smith) A parent may not be getting the message corporal punishment is dangerous because it is hard to change people’s beliefs. Many parents may have been victims of corporal punishment themselves. When the parent continues to use corporal punishment excessively, it will lead to child abuse. Since corporal punishment is physical, it has the potential to do much harm. When the parent has lost control of their temper, this can put a child’s life in danger. Children are too small to defend themselves from their parents.

There has been a case where parents initially start to use corporal punishment, but it escalated to child abuse. For example, in the ‘Netflix documentary, ‘The Trails of Gabriel Fernandez,’ Fernandez was an eight-year boy that died after being severally abused by his mother and stepfather in 2013. His mother and father believe they were initiating corporal punishment, but over time it led to child abuse. His teacher Jennifer Garcia was concerned for Gabriel’s wellbeing. Gabriel asked the teacher, is it normal for mothers to hit their kids? The teacher asked more questions about the situation. Gabriel asked her is normal to be hit with a belt buckle, and is it normal for you to bleed? So, Ms. Garcia reported it to the child abuse hotline. However, according to the documentary, the social worker never adequately followed up with the case. Social workers never found enough evidence to remove Gabriel from home’ (The Trails of Gabriel Fernandez). This case is an example of the sad reality of what can happen when the parent has lost control. The parent did not realize the effect of their actions until it was too late. Many parents feel that corporal punishment is the only way to discipline a child. A false misconception because their other ways to methods parents can uses. It is dangerous for parents to use corporal punishment since many parents do not know the proper way to spank, and this puts a child’s life in danger. The proper way to spank a child is a slap with the palm on the child’s bottom. The correct method prevents the child from getting any physical wounds on their body. A parent who uses other items like belt, fist, and others put the child more at risk for injury. When corporal punishment is excessive and incorrectly uses, it will lead to child abuse. Unfortunately, Gabriel was a victim of too much corporal punishment and incorrect uses of spanking.

Corporal punishment is not beneficial because it can give some children the wrong message. When a parent acts excessively violent while using corporal punishment, it can give children the message this behavior is acceptable. The child may develop something known as the cycle of abuse. ‘According to the author manuscript called ‘Cycle of Violence,’ the cycle of abuse is a phenomenon of abuse and neglect to a child over an extended period. This phenomenon will increase the risk of violence and maltreatment to the next generation.’ (Widom) It dangerous when parenting uses corporal punishment excessively because children tend to mimic their parents. Sometimes parents do not teach the right message to children. In the case of Gabriel Fernandez, ‘Pearl Fernandez also suffered physical abuse as a child. Her mother raised her without her father because he was in jail and used excessive corporal punishment, leading Pearl Fernandez to believe abusing her child was okay. When Pearl became a parent, she treated her son Gabriel Fernandez harshly, and he received the harshest punishment because they believed he was gay. Although she expressed remorse after that fact, the child died at her hands.’ (The Trails of Gabriel Fernandez) She is an example of the cycle of abuse because she grew up to an abuser herself. Not only did Pearl suffer from harsh corporal punishment that became child abuse. She also treated her son in the same way. When corporal punishment used, excessive children will start to believe the only form method that works too. This belief by a child is dangerous because of it not right.

Corporal punishment will humiliate a child because the child will become embarrassed. An argument often used in support of corporal punishment comes from the Bible. It is the following ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ (Proverbs 13:24) This argument because many people believe that it is talking about corporal punishment of children. However, that is not the correct meaning of the verse because it is referring to discipline. ‘Spare the rod’ is an Old Testament belief in punishment. (Proverbs 13:24) However, punishment comes in many forms and does not necessarily have to physical punishment. This proverb is again argued differently in the New Testament which, ‘turn the other cheek.’ (Matthew 5:39) Forgiving people when they do wrong. Children being disciplined by a parent since they are human too. These proverb’s ideas address a story in the Bible. There is a parable about ‘the prodigal son, the rich man has two sons. One son stays behind to help his father. While the other one asks his father for his inheritance now and spends all the money, later, he comes back to the father and asks for forgiveness. The father forgives him instead of punishing him. The father understands that he made a mistake. His father shows him mercy and love, and that reestablishes the bond between himself and his son. When another son asks the father for his action, Father says it the right thing to do.’ (Luke 15:11-32) According to Pope Francis, ‘the parent needs to discipline with love. Corporal punishment forms a humiliation.’ (Press) As parents, we should show our child kindness and love because, according to the Catholic Church, every person is worthy of human dignity. Corporal serves to embarrass and shame stripping children of human dignity. The main point in the story, the father forgave the son rather than punishing him for his actions. Therefore, a father act upon anger instead of forgiveness. Humiliated and shame the child and will follow the child throughout life. Corporal punishment humiliated the child and affected them for a long time. The Bible supports disciplining a child without humiliating them. The proverb was changed to forgiveness to prevent children’s pride from being damage.

To conclude, corporal punishment is not beneficial because it changes the relationship between a child and a parent. Corporal punishment is ‘against the laws’ since many countries are conforming to this idea. A risk of corporal punishment to a child is the potential for mental health issues and damage without parents realizing it. Corporal punishment can lead to child abuse because parents see it as the only option. Corporal punishment can teach children violence is acceptable. Corporal punishment humiliates children hurt them later in life. Every child deserves to be protected from corporal punishment because it not the best form way for a parent to discipline a child. Parents need to nurture and protect their children because their relationship lasts forever. The experience parents create for their children will affect future generations when those children grow up. This cycle of life will continue to change and evolve as new research about this topic is found. Rather than the use of corporal punishment, the parent should find another alternative. These alternatives are the following: positive reinforcement, taking away privileges they enjoy, ignoring bad behavior, and others.

“The right of corporal punishment is one that plagues this society” -Fyodor Dostoevsky. Corporal punishment is a method to inflict physical pain on a child in order to attempt to discipline them. The most common methods include spanking and paddling. Corporal punishment is a cruel and unjust way to teach kids a lesson, and should without a doubt, be prohibited, as it causes physical and mental damage and even reduces cognitive abilities within a minor.

Being abused can be a traumatizing event, especially to children under the age of 12. A study done by Harvard students show corporal punishment does not in fact improve behavior in the long run, but only seems to cause mental and physical distress. About 60% of minors who have been abused still suffer from the trauma of their childhood punishments. For example, a child named Joshua, a sixth-grader at Alvarado Intermediate School in Alvarado, Texas, had a terrible decision to make; whether to accept a five-day in-school suspension or be struck three times with a paddle. Sadly, he chose to be hit with a paddle. But following his punishment, Joshua had nightmares for over a year, and pleaded for his parents to homeschool him. In addition, he had bruises that lasted months on end. Rendering him unable to lay down without excruciating pain, all for the simple mistake of talking back. Corporal punishment has been associated with behavioral disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, suicide attempts, low self-esteem, and finally emotional instability. Research done by the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School In, Boston, MA, USA shows that youngsters’ brains are altered when frequently abused. These children have less grey matter, which in return can cause numerous mental disorders. Grey matter is what is considered as the intelligence of the brain. And with a lack of grey matter comes less intelligence, thus causing these health issues.

Mental disorders aren’t the only response to having a decrease in grey matter, and it can also reduce the child’s cognitive ability, known commonly by its alias IQ (Intelligence Quotient). With reduced IQ comes bad decision making, the ability to reason and solve problems, and finally self-control. Because of this, many kids who went through corporal punishment often react to things with a violent manner and do not tend to make the correct decisions. This often leads to drug abuse and criminal records. An article written by Molly S. Castelloe, who holds a doctorate from New York University in theater and psychology shows that 86% of criminals have experienced a form of Corporal punishment during their childhood. Additionally, children who receive frequent Corporal punishment are much more likely to drop out of high school than their fellow peers. This is caused by the mental instability in the child’s life, especially the stress levels.

Many parents today still believe that punishing their own child with physical harm will immediately fix their behavioral problems. While it may be true that spanking can correct behavior in the short term, there are a number of long-term effects, including mental and physical harm, along with reduced cognitive abilities. Unless you want to suffer from anxiety or have a limited IQ, you should join the fight, to once and for all abolish corporal punishment from the world.

Introduction

The evolution of corporal punishment within a school setting dates back to before 500 BC. Corporal punishment in its entirety cannot be traced back to its origin, but examples of corporal punishment in a school setting started to be documented in early Greece, which spans from 800 BC to 500 BC (History.com Editors, 2010). Ever since Greek and Roman antiquity, there has been a debate about whether or not corporal punishment should be used within an educational context. This paper explores the subject of how corporal punishment within schools has evolved over the past 2500-3000 years with a focus on Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, and modern Canada and the United States of America.

Ancient Greek and Roman Eras (800 BC – 476)

The earliest reference to a school or classroom setting is dated back to before 500 BC. The references depicted a structure being used as a classroom which collapsed and killed 119 students in Chios, Greece (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 13). During this era of history, corporal punishment was a vital part of education and strict discipline was a common occurrence (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 18). Corporal punishment is defined as an act of physical violence inflicted upon an individual in an attempt to change a behaviour (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016). At this point in history, punishment was severe, even if the wrongdoing was not significant. Corporal punishment was not only inflicted upon those who did something incorrectly, but even to those who did not complete tasks fast enough, or did not maintain correct posture (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 156).

Examples of corporal punishments included, but were not limited to, beating, whipping, public humiliation, and even death (Bloomer, ch. 12, pp. 189). Corporal punishment was not purely seen as a method of punishment, or as the harming of the child, instead, it was seen as a tool for strengthening them and preparing them for their future (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 18, 36, 37).

Sparta

One of the most known examples of corporal punishment from this time period is “the whipping contest” which took place during the festival of Artemis Orthia (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 29). The whipping contest at the festival of Artemis Orthia was part of every young male’s upbringing and education. During this contest, young boys are beaten, often to the point of death, while trying to steal cheese from the altar of Artemis Orthia (Joyal, McDougall, and Yardley, 2009, pp. 29). This contest took place as a method of educating boys by teaching them to endure, to problem solve, to learn by trial and error, and by learning through the observations of others (Papapostolou, Konstantinakos, Mountakis, Georgiadis, 2010, pp. 47). These lessons would be important in a boy’s future, especially during his mandatory military training. It was not uncommon for corporal punishment examples of this magnitude to be seen, it was accepted by most, but there were still a few famous individuals who protested the use of corporal punishment for children in an educational context.

Quintilian

The opposition of corporal punishment in schools is not a new concept. Unsurprisingly, not everyone accepted the use of corporal punishment in an educational context. One of the most well-known individuals from this time period that opposed the use of corporal punishment as an educational aid is Quintilian (Joyal, McDougall, Yardley, 2009, pp.176). Quintilian’s opposing view is stated clearly in the passage below:

I do not agree that students should be flogged. First, because flogging is disgraceful and is therefore suitable only for slaves and is certainly an insult, a fact which is indisputable if you substitute an older age group. Second, because if a boy has a disposition so intractable that he cannot be corrected by scolding, he will become hardened even to your blows, just as the worst slaves are. (Joyal, McDougall, Yardley, 2009, pp.176).

Along with this passage, Quintilian’s also expressed his belief that learning should be praised and those who did not want to complete their studies should not be physically punished, but should have to watch other students receive prizes for their eagerness to learn (Joyal, McDougall, Yardley, 2009, pp. 175). Even though corporal punishment faced an opposition, it did not become any less common.

Late Middle Ages – Early Modern Period (500 – 1700)

Vincent of Beauvais, a French Scholar (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019), was one of many medieval philosophers that believed that corporal punishment was the key to successful education (disputed education). There was no one reason decided upon as to why corporal punishment should be used as a method of teaching, but several of the believed benefits of corporal punishment were; that fear was the first step of knowledge and understanding, beating could mold the mind as well as the body, could instill morality, would help students learn and remember their previous mistakes, and would teach students obedience (How much did medieval teachers beat their students? n.d.).

This mentality changed for many after 1690 when the “Father of Liberalism”, John Locke, published “Concerning Human Understanding” (Steele, 2018). Locke’s understanding was that children were blank slates and would become better by being guided, not disciplined. He stated that disciplining children would not;

Have brought him to be in love with his book; to take a pleasure in learning, and to desire, as he does, to be taught more, than those about him think fit always to teach him. … We have reason to conclude, that great care is to be had of the forming children’s minds, and giving them that seasoning early, which shall influence their lives always after. (Steele, 2018)

Up until this point in history, there was not a large debate as to whether or not children should be physically punished within a school setting. Within the next few hundred years, laws became established concerning corporal punishment and the idea of physically punishing children became much less popular in many countries across the world.

Modern Era (1700 – present)

Another push for the elimination of corporal punishment in schools was the abolishment of capital punishment, also known as the death penalty (Hood, 2019). In 1863, Venezuela became the first country to abolish capital punishment outright (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018) and soon after, many other countries followed suit. Three years after the end of World War II (Timeline of historical periods, n.d.), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created in order to protect the rights of each and every individual (“Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, United Nations). It was at this point in history when the use of corporal punishment in schools began to diminish in parts of Canada and the United States. Even after this issue was addressed, it was only recommended that its use was restricted and therefore imposed no guidelines or restrictions upon its use (“Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, United Nations).

Between 1890 and 1920, corporal punishment in schools started to become a debate in Canada and the United States due to increasing enrollment in schools (Katz, 2016). As teachers began to unionize in the United States, they began to shift their focus to the importance of teaching and away from the focus of behavioural issues within the classroom. In the 1950s and 1960s, this new approach took a step backwards and corporal punishment again became a central focus in school due to the fear of children becoming uncontrollable and engaging in delinquent behaviour if they did not receive strict discipline (Katz, 2016).

As of 2016, the United States of America, Australia, and 67 other countries continue to legally permit corporal punishment in schools (Gershoff, 2017) even though it is considered by many to be a violation of an individual’s human rights (Gershoff & Font, 2016).

Corporal Punishment in Canadian Schools

The movement to abolish corporal punishment in Canadian schools became increasingly greater after 1968 when Emmett Hall and Lloyd Dennis released “Living and Learning”, now known as the “Ontario Hall-Dennis Report” (Bennett, 2018). The first of Canada’s provinces to amend their education/school act and state that they have banned corporal punishment in schools was in British Columbia in 1973 (Repeal 43 Committee, n.d.). Ontario was the last of the provinces and territories to amend their education act to reflect the ban on corporal punishment, with the exception of Manitoba and Alberta who still fail to reflect the ban of corporal punishment in their education acts (Repeal 43 Committee, n.d.). Even though Manitoba and Alberta have not acknowledged the ban of corporal punishment, it is still not legal in those provinces due to a Canada-wide ban on corporal punishments within schools which was put in place in 2004.

As of 2004, corporal punishment within a school setting is illegal, no form of physical punishment can be used under any circumstance (Axelrod, 2011). The only time that an educator can use force against a student is in self-defense, or in defense of another individual (Corporal Punishment & “Spanking”, n.d.).

Now that corporal punishment within Canadian schools is illegal, there is a push to make all child-directed corporal punishment illegal as well. As stated in Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, “The right encompasses freedom from the threat of physical punishment or suffering”, therefore, deeming physical punishment illegal, but is not strictly illegal in the case of children when done by a parent, except when done out of anger, frustration, or loss of temper (Corporal Punishment & “Spanking”. (n.d.).

Corporal Punishment in American Schools

Unlike all Canadian schools, public schools in 19 states across the United States of America still allow corporal punishment within classrooms, as well as private schools in 48 states. Corporal punishment in each of these states is allowed for all students, including those in preschool (Gershoff & Font, 2016). The Texas Education Code from 2013 defines corporal punishment as; “The deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force used as a means of discipline” (Texas Education Code, 2011). Some counties within the 19 states even give guidelines and recommendations of wooden paddle specifications. For example, in Pickens County, Alabama it is recommended that a two-foot-long paddle, three inches in diameter, and half an inch thick be used to punish students (Gershoff & Font, 2016). There is a startling resemblance between behaviours punished in antiquity compared to behaviours punished in the modern-day United States of America. A majority of corporal punishment examples today are for incidents such as fighting with other students, bullying, or consuming alcohol on school trips, but, almost 40 percent of corporal punishment cases, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), are for much less serious behaviors, such as; inappropriate language, cellphone use (Gershoff & Font, 2016), not completing homework, running or laughing in the hallways, mispronouncing words, leaving class without permission, and receiving a below average grade (Farmer, Neier, & Parker, 2008, pp. 3). Even though corporal punishment is not illegal in the United States, the NCBI presents data from two national studies done by Survey USA and Julie Crandell of ABC News. According to these surveys, 72 percent (Crandell, 2004) and 74 percent (Survey USA, 2005) of people say that teachers should not have the authority to use corporally punish students.

Conclusion

Compared to 2500-3000 years ago, people today have a much different opinion of corporal punishment. Even within the past few centuries, the world’s opinion has shifted from a positive to negative view of corporal punishment, especially within the school system as it relates to children. Yet there are still people who believe that students need to be corrected in their behavior both at home and at school. Since the periods of Greek and Roman antiquity, there has been a debate concerning whether or not corporal punishment should be used in a school or classroom setting. Since that period in time, the overall consensus has changed from an overwhelmingly positive view of corporal punishment to one that is more divided but leans to the side of abolition.

References

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Introduction

Violence in schools whether towards educators or students is an ever-growing problem present in the country and ineffective disciplinary measures are to blame. When the consequence does not weigh up to the severity of the action, the student will not see the reality of said action and will be at risk of committing the same deviant behaviour in the near future as no lesson was learnt. The notion that violence is associated with corporal punishment is looking past the fact that its main goal is to instil discipline within pupils through a direct form of punishment that is almost impossible to misinterpret. In this essay three main ideas will be discussed. The first main idea is how pain is associated with bad behaviour, the second main idea is about respect for teachers being strengthened through corporal punishment and lastly, how peer to peer violence will be reduced through the reimplementation of corporal punishment.

Pain is associated with bad behaviour

Pain is associated with bad behaviour. The association of pain towards bad behaviour will result in the transgressor becoming aware that the identified behaviour should be avoided in order to avoid the repercussion thereof; this will thus inhibit the reoccurrence of said action in future. Pain instils fear and fear acts as a powerful motivator, which brings about a sense of respect towards the authoritarian dealing out the punishment. The reason why students act out in violent or disrespectful manners is due to the fact that they are not fearful of the consequences of their actions, as in today’s world the worst that could happen to a student is three hours spent in silence with an educator. This form of punishment does not address the problem directly or effectively at all, as all that is taken from the child is time which at that age does not mean much at all, no fear is instilled and the risk of the action being repeated is high. It is human nature to stray away from actions that lead to pain an example of this is pulling your hand away from a hot surface, thus it can be said that people in general respond and learn quicker to a pain stimulus. The pain associated with the action will in the broader scheme of things result in children being able to easily identify boundaries that should not be crossed and enable them to make better decisions in life. Once a child has received corporal punishment for violent actions, they will then associate that action with pain and will result in them not committing said violent acts again. In an article on social issues, Paul Goodman states: ‘That is why it has featured as a traditional tool of teachers for so long. There is no other equivalent that acts as both a punishment and deterrent in the same way. The psychological and physical immediacy of a short sharp shock is simply the most effective way to affect behaviour in some circumstances.”(Goodman, 2019) Goodman expresses his opinion on corporal punishment in the article by explaining that there is no alternative manner in which to punish a child than that of corporal punishment. The author agrees that the association of pain towards bad behaviour is the most effective form of discipline as it acts as it not only affects a student physically but mentally as well and by doing so the learner will immediately be able to associated the action that required the punishment as being wrong and will result in said learner deterring from committing the same wrong deed. Therefore, it can be said that pain is associated with bad behaviour. Through the implementation of physical punishments fairness in a sense that only severe actions will require such harsh repercussions. Patrick Lenta (2017) expresses that the severity of a punishment should be a reflection of the seriousness of the offence. The author thus agrees with the fact that corporal punishment is a necessary reinforcement of good behaviour as it brings about harsh punishments for bad behaviour.

Corporal punishment will strengthen respect towards teachers

Respect towards teachers will be strengthened through corporal punishment. Teachers have been battling to enforce their position of authority effectively as the methods they are expected to use are not effective and do not demand the necessary respect from students. The implementation of corporal punishment will result in students identifying educators as an authoritarian figure that enforces a strict form of discipline which will result in students having a newfound respect for the educator. Referring to the previous main idea, identifying fear a strong motivator, in this context fear of the educator’s ability to discipline in a physical manner will enable the educator to set strict boundaries that no one would dare to cross which would create a discipline learning environment. When a schoolteacher enforces the punishment on a student that has behaved badly the lesson will not just be learnt by one student but by all that sees it, this will result in the need for the punishment to enforce discipline becoming less as all the students will be weary to step out of line. The physical pain that corporal punishment brings about, instils a far greater lesson than any form of punishments that has been used by educators in recent times such as detention, writing out and demerit points which has no effect on the overall behaviour of a child.

U.K. Frankie states: “It makes very recalcitrant and stubborn children submit to authority because they fear that if they don’t do the right thing they just might be whipped.”(Frankie, 2018) the author thus acknowledges that through fear a new found respect is developed towards the educator. Once students start to acknowledge an educator as being a figure of authority in the classroom behaviour within will improve and violence outside the classroom will be reduced drastically, as the lessons they have learnt will linger in their minds resulting in them behaving appropriately at all times

Peer to peer violence will be reduced

Bullying comes in many forms, such as, cyber bullying, verbal abuse, intimidation and physical bullying; this is the cause of depression and anxiety amongst many of those that have been affected by one or multiple forms of bullying. This problem has not been dealt with effectively and is still evident within many schools in South Africa. This is due to the presence of minimal disciplinary actions available for educators to use. Students affected by bullying are afraid to speak out as they know the consequences that the bully will face will not measure up to the physical or emotional pain they have experienced or will experience after complaining about the problem to an educator. Until violence against peers is dealt with effectively it will be an ever-increasing problem within our schools as well as the society as a whole. Corporal punishment will tackle the problem head on by administering a punishment that will make the transgressor become aware of the severity of his/her action and will give those affected by violence the courage to speak out as justice will be served. Once there is an environment where the problem is dealt with effectively and where children are not fearful to speak out, violence amongst peers will be reduced drastically and those that still transgress will have to be dealt with through the eyes of the law. Students will be able to identify violent actions as being a severe act, once it is dealt with through corporal punishment and this will not just prevent them from behaving badly at school but also prevent them from being a violent person within the society, they live in. It has been reported that in 2018 there was at least, 25 incidents of reported violence within schools (Daily Maverick, 2018). The statistics shows that the violence that is evident in South Africa’s schools does not just affect the learners but has also affected the lives of those that are trying to stop it – the educators. It is clear that current punishment methods are not instilling the necessary morals within learners and even through the loss of lives there is still no evidence of change to prevent the reoccurrence of such tragic events. Without pressure from government to change disciplinary methods within the education system, this problem will remain, and many more people will be affected.

Ben Brown (2008) emphasizes that due to the hyperactive nature of children, as well as their limited attention, they tend to behave unruly. The author also states that amongst adolescence and young adults is a high percentage of criminal activity and that, that is the reason why corporal punishment is still a preferred form of punishment for parents as well as some teachers. In saying this the author reiterates the importance of curbing bad behaviour at a young age through effective disciplinary methods in order to avoid the reoccurrence of it in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that educators are faced with a generation of troublesome youth that lack discipline and it is clear that the methods of discipline they are using are not improving the situation at all. I believe that only through the reimplementation of corporal punishment will they be able to take away the sense of entitlement today’s youth has and implement discipline and integrity within their lives.

Reference list

1. Brown, B. (2008) Perceptions of student misconduct, perceived respect for teachers, and support for corporal punishment among school teachers in South Korea: an exploratory case study Retrieved from https://linkspringercom.ezproxy.uwc.ac.za/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs10671-008-9059-9.pdf
2. Frankie, U. (2018). Advantages and disadvantages of corporal punishment. Retrieved from https://hosbeg.com/advantages-disadvantages-corporal-punishment/
3. Goodman, P. (2019) Argumenta for and Against the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools. Retrieved from https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/Should-corporal-punishment-in-schools-be-allowed-Arguments-for-and-against
4. Lenta, P. (2018). Corporal Punishment: A Philosophical Assessment. New York, New York; Routledge.
5. Simelane, B. (2019). Violence at school: ‘Lack of political will’ blamed, among other factors. Retrieved from https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-06-14-violence-at-school-lack-of-political-will-blamed-among-other-factors/

In our modern day as the different advancement of technology provide us with a better life and a better interaction within each other. Apparently, as people are more close together where they can reach each other in a nick of time. It leads to some feelings of hate, jealousy, anger and other more, where they do use or release it to do hurt other people upon doing this, which is can be defined as a form of bullying. Based on study 1 out of 2 people under 25 years of age do experience bullying in their life (Ditch the Label, 2019). So bullying is a widespread phenomenon that is not much controllable by the authorities and it causes phobia, mental issues, lower grades and other more. On the part of the bully person, I try to think about how they become that kind of person where it is so easy for them to hurt other persons physically nor mentally. So for the people who do give quick punishment for the bullies, I think they’re the kind of person that is ‘one-sided person’. Even though they do hurt a person, they still need a fair judgement like knowing the reason why he does that and what’s going through his mind or life. So I’m fully believed that having a punishment for the bullies will only destroy the physical and mental thinking of the child that will suddenly affect his academic performance for him/her to create a path for a better future.

As a democratic country we do have the freedom of expression, but even though we really feel the freedom that we have in our life we still need the rules and regulations that consider as laws in our society for us to a systematic system in our country in order to maintain the peace and the freedom that we felt nowadays. Strict disciplines that applying does ‘might enhance or result’ to well academic performance (Baumann, C., & Krskova H., 2016). It only means that we should put rules and regulation or even punishment about the cases of bullying it is for us to control and maintain the peace and the joyfulness that the schools should be provided for their students. Also providing punishment clearly create a feeling of peace and systematic surrounding for every student in a school. Based on a study having a corporal or physical punishment towards the student made them to have the right path in life, not to repeat their mistakes and become a well-disciplined student.

From the New Orleans schools, they perform better performance every year. Through having these rules and regulations is the reason for this. But authorities need to ensure the rules and regulations so it doesn’t become a distraction (George, M., 2014). Some teachers do apply corporal punishment because of coming late to school, bad attitude to teachers, doing bad things, fighting with friends, not becoming attentive about the discussion or not answering the questions of the teachers. Through experiencing physical punishment from the authorities they being somehow expelled, scolded, even hit by the stick by their teachers and other more, it resulted to emotional and behavioural breakdowns where it pushes a student or a child to show more a bad attitude towards the other by intentionally for them to let go the anger that they do feel in their teachers

Discipline is very important through the life of a student and as a child, through the concept of discipline that being done in home and school, the child becomes more honest, kind and responsible in life. But discipline is a choice and what kind of discipline they do apply for their child. When a child that being discipline, parent discuss or explain on what do they expect from their child and from the point it is now on their child’s hand either they follow their expectation or to be liberated one. When a child follows all the guidance and to have the discipline in life it really does result in a brighter future of the child where he becomes a role model of the society.

However, doing parental harsh disciplining creates a greater percentage for the increase of risk behavioural problems (Mackenbach, J., et. al., 2014). It only means that having too much expectation and harsh discipline to your child will surely make your child a liberated one. But we all know that discipline is differ from punishment because discipline provides a life lesson to a child while punishment produces a feeling of guilt and anger. Also as a student, it is great to have varieties of expectations from my parents and other relatives. Yet having those expectations really kills me a lot inside where I’ve become too scared onto something even though I can do it or scared of what they think about me after finishing a specific activity, through these I become a lazy one, anxious about my purpose in life or who really am I and seek for happiness by making fun of someone or myself to be fit in what kind of society that we do have now, especially with my friends and it really does my academic performance in school.

Based from Michigan Association of School Administrator, a child that being a bully one doesn’t differ to the person being bullied because a bully one feel anxiety about whether they are going to school or not that results in a lack of interest in their academic performance, also thru these the do feel low self-confidence, depressions, suicidal and other more (Barrington, 2018).

So instead of having corporal punishment by the parents or the teachers, it is more comfortable for them to have some seminar about moral views. In a part of the schools and institutions, they must have a clear message as well as rules and regulations of a zero tolerance of bullying. But in the part of the parents, they must have a huge and active role in paying attention to what their child experiencing most of the time in their home or even school.

In conclusion, being a bully is not being inherited or a disease that can be easily transmitted. It is being acquired by what you experience in life, the surroundings that you have and the way of your thinking. Having a punishment for bullies make them showing more their bad attitude and gain more power by stepping above the weak. Lastly, there is no one to blame or to be punished of being a bully or being bullied by the others, because at the end of the day they do feel the same feeling it only differs from the sympathy that the person being bullied have. Rather than a punishment, we must focus on good moral guidance and development of their self.

References

1. Baumann, C., & Krskova, H., (2016) ‘School discipline, school uniforms and academic performance’, International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 30 Issue: 6, pp.1003-1029, Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-09-2015-0118
2. George, M., (2014, June 10) “Strict rules have helped boost academic performance in New Orleans, but some schools go too far”, Retrieved from: https://hechingerreport.org/strict-rules-helped-boost-academic-performance-new-orleans-schools-go-far/
3. Barrington, K., (2018, May 01) “How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?”, Retrieved from: https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/how-does-bullying-affect-a-students-academic -performance?fbclid=IwAR1KaKgNAgyt2EsYqwLAsFWdk02sA0mSUTp79elbaO1egx7iI 45jnGZ6x 0
4. Mackenbach, et. al., (2014, August 13) “Exploring the Relation of Harsh Parental Discipline with Child Emotional and Behavioral Problems by Using Multiple Informants. The Generation R Study“, Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4132073/?fbclid=IwAR1nhZ3f80U5fbbEWCXvgqIcKXJ4BgwwaQwtDgxToHwPbjKRvBhfpg7Hfcw
5. N.A., (2017, November 17) “Bullying 101: The Ultimate Anti-Bullying Toolkit”, Retrieved from: https://www.ditchthelabel.org/bullying-101/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjrCgqtWa4QIVFa6WCh 2FcABGEAAYA SAAEgKcsfD_BwE&fbclid=IwAR1jRvKLdjNXuDRnwoAoTKGNPVQyJ3r4TDRY_GKRfE np_onNcjgYCE usFIY

It is not an exaggeration to state that any form of corporal punishment is evil, degrading, unjustifiable and a gross violation of the rights of children. Corporal punishment, also interchangeably known as physical punishment has been defined by the Committee 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. Most involves hitting (“smacking”, “slapping”, “spanking”) children, with the hand or with an implement – a whip, stick, belt, shoe, wooden spoon, etc.”

The Committee doesn’t restrict its definition to physical punishments only. It also includes within the ambit of corporal punishment, “other non-physical forms of punishment that includes, punishment which belittles, humiliates, denigrates, scapegoats, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.” Masquerading as “discipline”, in school settings especially, students are frequently and almost routinely made to undergo physical and psychological violence.

India is no stranger to corporal punishment. Rampant both at home and especially at school, numbers and figures in relation to such punishment are telling. Two national level studies conducted in 2007 and 2009-10 revealed that 65% of children experience physical discipline (not counting mental harassment and almost 99 % of school children are subjected to physical and mental abuse by teachers, respectively. Recently, outside Mangaluru city limits, the ChildLine helpline received 365 complaints pertaining to mental and physical abuse and corporal punishment. Another recently released survey in Bengal, conducted by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), also revealed that “children are asked to stand on the bench holding ears or outside the classroom holding ears, beaten on palms, insulted and called names.” These incidents, clearly indicate that even today, this problem persists.

One of the major reasons behind the perpetuation of corporal punishment in India, much like the world, is that it is “anchored in cultural, traditional, even religious belief systems that favour the practice”, even today. That there is a distinction between discipline as constructive and corrective measure and discipline as a punitive and humiliating measure must be acknowledged by parents, teachers and adults alike. Even the Committee for the Rights of the Child acknowledges the importance of “positive discipline” but condemns “the punitive use of force” to discipline a child. Some argue that corporal punishment is in the “best interest of the child”- another principle of paramount importance laid down by the UNCRC. What constitutes “best interest” may be subjective, but the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act 2015 clears the air. It defines “best interest of child” means the basis for any decision taken regarding the child, to ensure fulfilment of his basic rights and needs, identity, social well-being and physical, emotional and intellectual development”. Since, corporal punishment doesn’t serve any of the objectives of best interest, it is clearly unwarranted. Despite the existence of a plethora of research confirming that corporal punishment is ineffective and that “the negative consequences of corporal punishment outweigh any benefits”, the erroneous belief that discipline can be achieved only through infliction of punishment is only indicative of the regressive nature of our society.

While there are numerous policies, enactments and guidelines that prioritize the elimination of corporal punishment in India, the abovementioned figures present a different picture. In order to ban corporal punishment not just in theory, but also in practice, we must clear the misperceptions surrounding it. Public awareness regarding the ill effects of this form of punishment should be disseminated. The fact that inflicting corporal punishment can attract criminal penalty should also be reiterated. Therefore, educating the public, sensitizing teachers in training programmes and informing children of their rights can go a long way in reforming attitudes towards corporal punishment.

Introduction

Violence in schools whether towards educators or students is an ever-growing problem present in the country and ineffective disciplinary measures are to blame. When the consequence does not weigh up to the severity of the action, the student will not see the reality of said action and will be at risk of committing the same deviant behaviour in the near future as no lesson was learnt. The notion that violence is associated with corporal punishment is looking past the fact that its main goal is to instil discipline within pupils through a direct form of punishment that is almost impossible to misinterpret. In this essay three main ideas will be discussed. The first main idea is how pain is associated with bad behaviour, the second main idea is about respect for teachers being strengthened through corporal punishment and lastly, how peer to peer violence will be reduced through the reimplementation of corporal punishment.

Pain is associated with bad behaviour

Pain is associated with bad behaviour. The association of pain towards bad behaviour will result in the transgressor becoming aware that the identified behaviour should be avoided in order to avoid the repercussion thereof; this will thus inhibit the reoccurrence of said action in future. Pain instils fear and fear acts as a powerful motivator, which brings about a sense of respect towards the authoritarian dealing out the punishment. The reason why students act out in violent or disrespectful manners is due to the fact that they are not fearful of the consequences of their actions, as in today’s world the worst that could happen to a student is three hours spent in silence with an educator. This form of punishment does not address the problem directly or effectively at all, as all that is taken from the child is time which at that age does not mean much at all, no fear is instilled and the risk of the action being repeated is high. It is human nature to stray away from actions that lead to pain an example of this is pulling your hand away from a hot surface, thus it can be said that people in general respond and learn quicker to a pain stimulus. The pain associated with the action will in the broader scheme of things result in children being able to easily identify boundaries that should not be crossed and enable them to make better decisions in life. Once a child has received corporal punishment for violent actions, they will then associate that action with pain and will result in them not committing said violent acts again. In an article on social issues, Paul Goodman states: ‘That is why it has featured as a traditional tool of teachers for so long. There is no other equivalent that acts as both a punishment and deterrent in the same way. The psychological and physical immediacy of a short sharp shock is simply the most effective way to affect behaviour in some circumstances.”(Goodman, 2019) Goodman expresses his opinion on corporal punishment in the article by explaining that there is no alternative manner in which to punish a child than that of corporal punishment. The author agrees that the association of pain towards bad behaviour is the most effective form of discipline as it acts as it not only affects a student physically but mentally as well and by doing so the learner will immediately be able to associated the action that required the punishment as being wrong and will result in said learner deterring from committing the same wrong deed. Therefore, it can be said that pain is associated with bad behaviour. Through the implementation of physical punishments fairness in a sense that only severe actions will require such harsh repercussions. Patrick Lenta (2017) expresses that the severity of a punishment should be a reflection of the seriousness of the offence. The author thus agrees with the fact that corporal punishment is a necessary reinforcement of good behaviour as it brings about harsh punishments for bad behaviour.

Corporal punishment will strengthen respect towards teachers

Respect towards teachers will be strengthened through corporal punishment. Teachers have been battling to enforce their position of authority effectively as the methods they are expected to use are not effective and do not demand the necessary respect from students. The implementation of corporal punishment will result in students identifying educators as an authoritarian figure that enforces a strict form of discipline which will result in students having a newfound respect for the educator. Referring to the previous main idea, identifying fear a strong motivator, in this context fear of the educator’s ability to discipline in a physical manner will enable the educator to set strict boundaries that no one would dare to cross which would create a discipline learning environment. When a schoolteacher enforces the punishment on a student that has behaved badly the lesson will not just be learnt by one student but by all that sees it, this will result in the need for the punishment to enforce discipline becoming less as all the students will be weary to step out of line. The physical pain that corporal punishment brings about, instils a far greater lesson than any form of punishments that has been used by educators in recent times such as detention, writing out and demerit points which has no effect on the overall behaviour of a child.

U.K. Frankie states: “It makes very recalcitrant and stubborn children submit to authority because they fear that if they don’t do the right thing they just might be whipped.”(Frankie, 2018) the author thus acknowledges that through fear a new found respect is developed towards the educator. Once students start to acknowledge an educator as being a figure of authority in the classroom behaviour within will improve and violence outside the classroom will be reduced drastically, as the lessons they have learnt will linger in their minds resulting in them behaving appropriately at all times

Peer to peer violence will be reduced

Bullying comes in many forms, such as, cyber bullying, verbal abuse, intimidation and physical bullying; this is the cause of depression and anxiety amongst many of those that have been affected by one or multiple forms of bullying. This problem has not been dealt with effectively and is still evident within many schools in South Africa. This is due to the presence of minimal disciplinary actions available for educators to use. Students affected by bullying are afraid to speak out as they know the consequences that the bully will face will not measure up to the physical or emotional pain they have experienced or will experience after complaining about the problem to an educator. Until violence against peers is dealt with effectively it will be an ever-increasing problem within our schools as well as the society as a whole. Corporal punishment will tackle the problem head on by administering a punishment that will make the transgressor become aware of the severity of his/her action and will give those affected by violence the courage to speak out as justice will be served. Once there is an environment where the problem is dealt with effectively and where children are not fearful to speak out, violence amongst peers will be reduced drastically and those that still transgress will have to be dealt with through the eyes of the law. Students will be able to identify violent actions as being a severe act, once it is dealt with through corporal punishment and this will not just prevent them from behaving badly at school but also prevent them from being a violent person within the society, they live in. It has been reported that in 2018 there was at least, 25 incidents of reported violence within schools (Daily Maverick, 2018). The statistics shows that the violence that is evident in South Africa’s schools does not just affect the learners but has also affected the lives of those that are trying to stop it – the educators. It is clear that current punishment methods are not instilling the necessary morals within learners and even through the loss of lives there is still no evidence of change to prevent the reoccurrence of such tragic events. Without pressure from government to change disciplinary methods within the education system, this problem will remain, and many more people will be affected.

Ben Brown (2008) emphasizes that due to the hyperactive nature of children, as well as their limited attention, they tend to behave unruly. The author also states that amongst adolescence and young adults is a high percentage of criminal activity and that, that is the reason why corporal punishment is still a preferred form of punishment for parents as well as some teachers. In saying this the author reiterates the importance of curbing bad behaviour at a young age through effective disciplinary methods in order to avoid the reoccurrence of it in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that educators are faced with a generation of troublesome youth that lack discipline and it is clear that the methods of discipline they are using are not improving the situation at all. I believe that only through the reimplementation of corporal punishment will they be able to take away the sense of entitlement today’s youth has and implement discipline and integrity within their lives.

Reference list

1. Brown, B. (2008) Perceptions of student misconduct, perceived respect for teachers, and support for corporal punishment among school teachers in South Korea: an exploratory case study Retrieved from https://linkspringercom.ezproxy.uwc.ac.za/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs10671-008-9059-9.pdf
2. Frankie, U. (2018). Advantages and disadvantages of corporal punishment. Retrieved from https://hosbeg.com/advantages-disadvantages-corporal-punishment/
3. Goodman, P. (2019) Argumenta for and Against the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools. Retrieved from https://soapboxie.com/social-issues/Should-corporal-punishment-in-schools-be-allowed-Arguments-for-and-against
4. Lenta, P. (2018). Corporal Punishment: A Philosophical Assessment. New York, New York; Routledge.
5. Simelane, B. (2019). Violence at school: ‘Lack of political will’ blamed, among other factors. Retrieved from https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-06-14-violence-at-school-lack-of-political-will-blamed-among-other-factors/

In our modern day as the different advancement of technology provide us with a better life and a better interaction within each other. Apparently, as people are more close together where they can reach each other in a nick of time. It leads to some feelings of hate, jealousy, anger and other more, where they do use or release it to do hurt other people upon doing this, which is can be defined as a form of bullying. Based on study 1 out of 2 people under 25 years of age do experience bullying in their life (Ditch the Label, 2019). So bullying is a widespread phenomenon that is not much controllable by the authorities and it causes phobia, mental issues, lower grades and other more. On the part of the bully person, I try to think about how they become that kind of person where it is so easy for them to hurt other persons physically nor mentally. So for the people who do give quick punishment for the bullies, I think they’re the kind of person that is ‘one-sided person’. Even though they do hurt a person, they still need a fair judgement like knowing the reason why he does that and what’s going through his mind or life. So I’m fully believed that having a punishment for the bullies will only destroy the physical and mental thinking of the child that will suddenly affect his academic performance for him/her to create a path for a better future.

As a democratic country we do have the freedom of expression, but even though we really feel the freedom that we have in our life we still need the rules and regulations that consider as laws in our society for us to a systematic system in our country in order to maintain the peace and the freedom that we felt nowadays. Strict disciplines that applying does ‘might enhance or result’ to well academic performance (Baumann, C., & Krskova H., 2016). It only means that we should put rules and regulation or even punishment about the cases of bullying it is for us to control and maintain the peace and the joyfulness that the schools should be provided for their students. Also providing punishment clearly create a feeling of peace and systematic surrounding for every student in a school. Based on a study having a corporal or physical punishment towards the student made them to have the right path in life, not to repeat their mistakes and become a well-disciplined student.

From the New Orleans schools, they perform better performance every year. Through having these rules and regulations is the reason for this. But authorities need to ensure the rules and regulations so it doesn’t become a distraction (George, M., 2014). Some teachers do apply corporal punishment because of coming late to school, bad attitude to teachers, doing bad things, fighting with friends, not becoming attentive about the discussion or not answering the questions of the teachers. Through experiencing physical punishment from the authorities they being somehow expelled, scolded, even hit by the stick by their teachers and other more, it resulted to emotional and behavioural breakdowns where it pushes a student or a child to show more a bad attitude towards the other by intentionally for them to let go the anger that they do feel in their teachers

Discipline is very important through the life of a student and as a child, through the concept of discipline that being done in home and school, the child becomes more honest, kind and responsible in life. But discipline is a choice and what kind of discipline they do apply for their child. When a child that being discipline, parent discuss or explain on what do they expect from their child and from the point it is now on their child’s hand either they follow their expectation or to be liberated one. When a child follows all the guidance and to have the discipline in life it really does result in a brighter future of the child where he becomes a role model of the society.

However, doing parental harsh disciplining creates a greater percentage for the increase of risk behavioural problems (Mackenbach, J., et. al., 2014). It only means that having too much expectation and harsh discipline to your child will surely make your child a liberated one. But we all know that discipline is differ from punishment because discipline provides a life lesson to a child while punishment produces a feeling of guilt and anger. Also as a student, it is great to have varieties of expectations from my parents and other relatives. Yet having those expectations really kills me a lot inside where I’ve become too scared onto something even though I can do it or scared of what they think about me after finishing a specific activity, through these I become a lazy one, anxious about my purpose in life or who really am I and seek for happiness by making fun of someone or myself to be fit in what kind of society that we do have now, especially with my friends and it really does my academic performance in school.

Based from Michigan Association of School Administrator, a child that being a bully one doesn’t differ to the person being bullied because a bully one feel anxiety about whether they are going to school or not that results in a lack of interest in their academic performance, also thru these the do feel low self-confidence, depressions, suicidal and other more (Barrington, 2018).

So instead of having corporal punishment by the parents or the teachers, it is more comfortable for them to have some seminar about moral views. In a part of the schools and institutions, they must have a clear message as well as rules and regulations of a zero tolerance of bullying. But in the part of the parents, they must have a huge and active role in paying attention to what their child experiencing most of the time in their home or even school.

In conclusion, being a bully is not being inherited or a disease that can be easily transmitted. It is being acquired by what you experience in life, the surroundings that you have and the way of your thinking. Having a punishment for bullies make them showing more their bad attitude and gain more power by stepping above the weak. Lastly, there is no one to blame or to be punished of being a bully or being bullied by the others, because at the end of the day they do feel the same feeling it only differs from the sympathy that the person being bullied have. Rather than a punishment, we must focus on good moral guidance and development of their self.

References

1. Baumann, C., & Krskova, H., (2016) ‘School discipline, school uniforms and academic performance’, International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 30 Issue: 6, pp.1003-1029, Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-09-2015-0118
2. George, M., (2014, June 10) “Strict rules have helped boost academic performance in New Orleans, but some schools go too far”, Retrieved from: https://hechingerreport.org/strict-rules-helped-boost-academic-performance-new-orleans-schools-go-far/
3. Barrington, K., (2018, May 01) “How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?”, Retrieved from: https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/how-does-bullying-affect-a-students-academic -performance?fbclid=IwAR1KaKgNAgyt2EsYqwLAsFWdk02sA0mSUTp79elbaO1egx7iI 45jnGZ6x 0
4. Mackenbach, et. al., (2014, August 13) “Exploring the Relation of Harsh Parental Discipline with Child Emotional and Behavioral Problems by Using Multiple Informants. The Generation R Study“, Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4132073/?fbclid=IwAR1nhZ3f80U5fbbEWCXvgqIcKXJ4BgwwaQwtDgxToHwPbjKRvBhfpg7Hfcw
5. N.A., (2017, November 17) “Bullying 101: The Ultimate Anti-Bullying Toolkit”, Retrieved from: https://www.ditchthelabel.org/bullying-101/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjrCgqtWa4QIVFa6WCh 2FcABGEAAYA SAAEgKcsfD_BwE&fbclid=IwAR1jRvKLdjNXuDRnwoAoTKGNPVQyJ3r4TDRY_GKRfE np_onNcjgYCE usFIY

It is not an exaggeration to state that any form of corporal punishment is evil, degrading, unjustifiable and a gross violation of the rights of children. Corporal punishment, also interchangeably known as physical punishment has been defined by the Committee 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. Most involves hitting (“smacking”, “slapping”, “spanking”) children, with the hand or with an implement – a whip, stick, belt, shoe, wooden spoon, etc.”

The Committee doesn’t restrict its definition to physical punishments only. It also includes within the ambit of corporal punishment, “other non-physical forms of punishment that includes, punishment which belittles, humiliates, denigrates, scapegoats, threatens, scares or ridicules the child.” Masquerading as “discipline”, in school settings especially, students are frequently and almost routinely made to undergo physical and psychological violence.

India is no stranger to corporal punishment. Rampant both at home and especially at school, numbers and figures in relation to such punishment are telling. Two national level studies conducted in 2007 and 2009-10 revealed that 65% of children experience physical discipline (not counting mental harassment and almost 99 % of school children are subjected to physical and mental abuse by teachers, respectively. Recently, outside Mangaluru city limits, the ChildLine helpline received 365 complaints pertaining to mental and physical abuse and corporal punishment. Another recently released survey in Bengal, conducted by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), also revealed that “children are asked to stand on the bench holding ears or outside the classroom holding ears, beaten on palms, insulted and called names.” These incidents, clearly indicate that even today, this problem persists.

One of the major reasons behind the perpetuation of corporal punishment in India, much like the world, is that it is “anchored in cultural, traditional, even religious belief systems that favour the practice”, even today. That there is a distinction between discipline as constructive and corrective measure and discipline as a punitive and humiliating measure must be acknowledged by parents, teachers and adults alike. Even the Committee for the Rights of the Child acknowledges the importance of “positive discipline” but condemns “the punitive use of force” to discipline a child. Some argue that corporal punishment is in the “best interest of the child”- another principle of paramount importance laid down by the UNCRC. What constitutes “best interest” may be subjective, but the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act 2015 clears the air. It defines “best interest of child” means the basis for any decision taken regarding the child, to ensure fulfilment of his basic rights and needs, identity, social well-being and physical, emotional and intellectual development”. Since, corporal punishment doesn’t serve any of the objectives of best interest, it is clearly unwarranted. Despite the existence of a plethora of research confirming that corporal punishment is ineffective and that “the negative consequences of corporal punishment outweigh any benefits”, the erroneous belief that discipline can be achieved only through infliction of punishment is only indicative of the regressive nature of our society.

While there are numerous policies, enactments and guidelines that prioritize the elimination of corporal punishment in India, the abovementioned figures present a different picture. In order to ban corporal punishment not just in theory, but also in practice, we must clear the misperceptions surrounding it. Public awareness regarding the ill effects of this form of punishment should be disseminated. The fact that inflicting corporal punishment can attract criminal penalty should also be reiterated. Therefore, educating the public, sensitizing teachers in training programmes and informing children of their rights can go a long way in reforming attitudes towards corporal punishment.

Studies have indicated that over ninety percent of parents in America spank their children. This implies that almost every child in America is spanked by his/her parents at some point. Spanking has been defined as the utilization of physical force with the aim of making a child experience pain, but not injury (Henslin, 2007). Spanking is done with the aim of controlling or correcting the behavior of a child.

In the 1960s and 1970s, there were several legislations passed in the U.S in order to prevent child abuse (Straus, 2009). These laws were adopted in good faith, but experts have argued that they institutionalized the primary cause of child abuse, which is spanking.

This is because most of these legislations protected the right of parents to spank their children. Moreover, the laws prohibiting child abuse are not applicable in schools in most cases (Straus, 2009).

Parents have justified the act of spanking their children by arguing that it is essential in maintaining discipline and making children obey their orders. However, sociological studies have indicated that spanking is a deviant way of children’s upbringing (Straus, 2009).

The opponents of such way of upbringing claim that spanking teaches children that violence is a norm, especially when used by strong people against those who are weaker than they are. In addition, children learn that hitting is the best way of solving problems. Spanking causes resentment in children that can interfere with their emotional development and capacity to learn (Straus, 2009).

Spanking children repeatedly also makes them rebel against their parents and sometimes behave in inappropriate manner even at school. Research has also shown that corporal punishment can cause deep-rooted psychological problems in a child, which occur when they become adults as they remember how they were punished by their parents (Straus, 2009).

Experts have argued that the difference between spanking a child and abuse is seen in the psychological damage caused. If a parent regularly spanks a child, the last one begins showing psychological problems like sever aggression, low self-esteem, withdrawal, or anxiety as a result of having been abused (Marshall, 2002).

Whether used in an abusive or non-abuse way, studies have shown that spanking children can be linked to societal problems like criminal violence, poor performance at work, and depression. In addition, hitting children contradicts the human values (Marshall, 2002).

Making corporal punishment illegal is a crucial step towards solving psychological, social and emotional problems caused by this practice. For example, several decades ago, people saw nothing wrong with hitting prisoners, servants, wives, and soldiers. However, after realizing that this practice undermines the values of humanity, it was condemned and forbidden (Marshall, 2002). Then, should America make spanking illegal?

Until spanking is made illegal, it can be compared to playing with fire. The American society is always at the frontline in imposing sanctions on things that are likely to be misused like arms, drugs and nuclear materials (Marshall, 2002). Allowing parents to continue spanking their children is like providing them with weapons that they can constantly use to attack their children (Marshall, 2002).

Statistics indicate that approximately two thousand children in America are killed by their parents every year while exercising corporal punishment. Furthermore, some researchers have found that sixty percent of cases of child abuse start as spanking (Marshall, 2002).

Spanking also causes serious injuries to about 142,000 children in America every year (Marshall, 2002). The extent of psychological damage this practice causes to children cannot be quantified, thus this practice should be prohibited by the law.

References

Henslin, J. M. (2007). Down to Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings. New York, NY: Free Press.

Marshall, M. J. (2002). Why Spanking Doesn’t Work: Stopping This Bad Habit and Getting the Upper Hand on Effective Discipline. Washington, DC: Bonneville Book.

Straus, M. A. (2009). Beating the Devil Out of Them: Corporal Punishment in American Families and its Effects on Children. Brunswick, N J: Transaction Publishers.