The Effects and Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools
The Effects and Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools
The Effects and Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools
Merriam Webster defines corporal punishment as 1: punishment applied to the body of an offender including the death penalty, whipping, and imprisonment. 2: punishment administered by an adult (as a parent or a teacher) to the body of a child ranging in severity from a slap to a spanking ("Merriam-Webster," 2011). Currently corporal punishment is legal in nineteen U.S. States (De Nies, 2012). The moral and ethical dilemmas of corporal punishment in schools have been a long going debate. Should corporal punishment be banned in schools? Many feel it should be and consider it a form of physical abuse; while others feel it is instrumental and necessary in the successful discipline of children. Both sides make valid points to this argument and there are several cases which prove to favor each argument.
Those who encourage banning corporal punishment in school feel it is not necessary in the successful education of children. Many feel it breeds a hostile environment and perpetuates the idea that abuse is acceptable. Currently, corporal punishment is not part of any education curriculum. This strongly indicates that educators at every level know that corporal punishment has no place in the education system, yet there it still remains. Research shows that children who endure corporal punishment are prone to low self-esteem, depression, and suicide (Riak, 1992). One major argument of those behind banning corporal punishment in schools is that children should be disciplined and taught by example. Domestic abuse and physical violence are illegal, yet corporal punishment demonstrates to children if they display behavior that is unacceptable, someone physically harming them is alright.
Those for corporal punishment in schools insist this type of discipline leads children to successful and productive lives. It is also important to
The Effects and Effectiveness of Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools
Merriam Webster defines corporal punishment as 1: punishment applied to the body of an offender including the death penalty, whipping, and imprisonment. 2: punishment administered by an adult (as a parent or a teacher) to the body of a child ranging in severity from a slap to a spanking ("Merriam-Webster," 2011). Currently corporal punishment is legal in nineteen U.S. States (De Nies, 2012). The moral and ethical dilemmas of corporal punishment in schools have been a long going debate. Should corporal punishment be banned in schools? Many feel it should be and consider it a form of physical abuse; while others feel it is instrumental and necessary in the successful discipline of children. Both sides make valid points to this argument and there are several cases which prove to favor each argument.
Those who encourage banning corporal punishment in school feel it is not necessary in the successful education of children. Many feel it breeds a hostile environment and perpetuates the idea that abuse is acceptable. Currently, corporal punishment is not part of any education curriculum. This strongly indicates that educators at every level know that corporal punishment has no place in the education system, yet there it still remains. Research shows that children who endure corporal punishment are prone to low self-esteem, depression, and suicide (Riak, 1992). One major argument of those behind banning corporal punishment in schools is that children should be disciplined and taught by example. Domestic abuse and physical violence are illegal, yet corporal punishment demonstrates to children if they display behavior that is unacceptable, someone physically harming them is alright.
Those for corporal punishment in schools insist this type of discipline leads children to successful and productive lives. It is also important to
References: De Nies, Y. (2012, 16 03). abc news. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/spanking-school-19-states-corporal-punishment-legal/story?id=15932135 Merriam-Webster Riak, J. (1992). Plain Talk about Spanking. Retrieved from http://www.nospank.net/pt2011.htm Williams, Walter