Should Schools be allowed to Use Corporal Punishment?

Corporal punishment leaves a lasting and negative impact on children. It scares them physically as well as emotionally. Corporal punishment involves physically abusing the child as a punishment. Principals and teachers slap, hit, spank, smack and shake the child. Some even go to the extent of belting the children. Some schools use the tactic of humiliating the child before the peers. Child psychologists are totally against this. Many children, students are traumatized after the corporal punishment. And they don't want to go to school. Schools all over the world use corporal punishment to discipline the student. Studies have revealed that physical punishment and blows leave negative impact on the children. Many parents are not aware of the fact that schools use corporal punishment. In the United States of America, many schools use this tactic. They use it on rowdy children. It's even used at home by parents when they are not able to control, discipline and correct the children. A few slaps and everything is in control. Schools have the opinion that once a child undergoes corporal punishment, he or she will not do it again. But it's otherwise. It creates a fear and confuses the child and sometimes it leaves a lifetime impact. Children get bruises and pain. Their cries and wails are ignored. Teachers and parents don't know the damage they have caused. Corporal punishment is not new. It has been used for decades throughout the world. Forty- two countries including Canada, Finland, Austria, Israel, Germany, Croatia, Bulgaria and Norway have banned it. Sweden was the first country to ban it in 1979. Corporal punishment still prevails in the US.

Negative Impact

It's about time that parents and schools dropped the idea that corporal punishment keeps children grounded. If they spare the rod, they are not going to do any favour to anyone but themselves. Corporal punishment is a vicious cycle. If a child is slapped or hit in school, he or she will grow up and want the same for their children. If a father beats the child, the child when grown into an adult will beat his own children. It's a never ending cycle. The rate and harshness is varying. But the impact can be great:

-          Corporal punishment affects the child's IQ

-          Studies reveal that it results in long-term developmental issues

-          Makes the children aggressive

-          Turns children into bullies

-          Children who often get spanked are not good in studies

-          Develop fear of going to school

-          Get nightmares

-          Leads to stress and depression

Corporal punishment give the desirable quick result but not for long. It may leave the child in an emotional turmoil. Children may develop the fear of making mistakes. It has been seen that teachers slap or smack the children over petty things such as talking in class, daydreaming or not doing the homework. These issues can be tackled verbally but they pick up the stick or hand thinking that it's much faster!

Corporal Punishment is not part of Education

Corporal punishment is not part of education. And it's not a part of the learning process either. It leaves a child with injuries. Sometimes, the slap leaves an awful bruise on the cheek or arm of the child. Teachers are not aware of the force they use when slapping or hitting the child with a stick. It can cause internal bleeding. There have been numerous cases where children have been hospitalized due to corporal punishment. Teaching and learning is supposed to be fun-filled and interesting. It shouldn't cause terror or fear in the hearts and minds of children. Children should be allowed to make mistakes and do mischief. They can be talked to and corrected, but not via abuse. Teachers and parents should keep in mind that children are growing. They should be given the space and opportunity to explore and discover. They shouldn't be dealt with harshly. They should be made aware about the rules. And children should also be told that breaking rules creates discomfort and displeasure. Teachers and schools are fully aware that corporal punishment doesn't improve the child's behaviour. It may quieten him or her for a while but doesn't leave much effect on the behaviour. There are many ways in which teachers can work on the behaviour of children. They can talk to them, they can openly discuss the consequences for example 'if you don't put the toys in the cupboard, you won't have anything to play with tomorrow'. Behavioural issues and discipline can be brought about through non-violent methods.