Non-Violent Alternatives to Corporal Punishment
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) opposes the use of corporal punishment in schools and supports removal of legal sanctions for its use. Further, NASP resolves to educate the public about the effects of corporal punishment and to provide alternatives to its use, and will encourage research and the dissemination of information about corporal punishment effects and alternatives. Corporal punishment of students is the intentional infliction of pain or discomfort and/or the use of physical force upon a student in order to stop or change behavior (Hyman & Perone, 1998). In the
United States, the most typical form of school corporal punishment is striking a student’s buttocks with a wooden paddle by a school authority because it is believed that the student has disobeyed a rule. Notably, the United States and parts of Canada remain the only developed countries to allow corporal punishment (Robinson, Funk, Beth, & Bush, 2005). Within the United States, corporal punishment is only allowed in schools; it has been banned in prisons and mental health institutions
(Andero & Stewart, 2002).
Between the 1980s and the mid-1990s, the use of corporal punishment in schools declined rapidly due to waning public acceptance, increased litigation against school boards and educators regarding its use, and legislative bans. However, the decline appears to have slowed. In recent years, only two additional states have banned the use of corporal punishment in schools although many districts voluntarily ban it in states where it is allowed (Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2003). Still, approximately 1.5 million cases of physical punishment in schools are reported each year.
Furthermore, students are more likely to experience corporal punishment if they are poor, male, of ethnic minority status, or live within specific regions (Arcus, 2002; Owen, 2005; Robinson et al.,
2005; Society for Adolescent Medicine,
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) opposes the use of corporal punishment in schools and supports removal of legal sanctions for its use. Further, NASP resolves to educate the public about the effects of corporal punishment and to provide alternatives to its use, and will encourage research and the dissemination of information about corporal punishment effects and alternatives. Corporal punishment of students is the intentional infliction of pain or discomfort and/or the use of physical force upon a student in order to stop or change behavior (Hyman & Perone, 1998). In the
United States, the most typical form of school corporal punishment is striking a student’s buttocks with a wooden paddle by a school authority because it is believed that the student has disobeyed a rule. Notably, the United States and parts of Canada remain the only developed countries to allow corporal punishment (Robinson, Funk, Beth, & Bush, 2005). Within the United States, corporal punishment is only allowed in schools; it has been banned in prisons and mental health institutions
(Andero & Stewart, 2002).
Between the 1980s and the mid-1990s, the use of corporal punishment in schools declined rapidly due to waning public acceptance, increased litigation against school boards and educators regarding its use, and legislative bans. However, the decline appears to have slowed. In recent years, only two additional states have banned the use of corporal punishment in schools although many districts voluntarily ban it in states where it is allowed (Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2003). Still, approximately 1.5 million cases of physical punishment in schools are reported each year.
Furthermore, students are more likely to experience corporal punishment if they are poor, male, of ethnic minority status, or live within specific regions (Arcus, 2002; Owen, 2005; Robinson et al.,
2005; Society for Adolescent Medicine,