Corporal Punishment--Should it be allowed in schools?

Well, I could say back in the day when I was in school and while it was quite some time ago; it wasn't as old as predating corporal punishment in schools. Corporal punishment in schools dates back to the 1700's.

Corporal punishment was used to instill behavior and keep rule in a group setting. Like anything that isn't contained by rules, it too can be misused.

There are those that have taken advantage of the authority given to them and have gone to the extent of abuse; as seen on media sources. Paddles with holes cause more pain, paddles with ridges do the same. The object of Corporal Punishment is to instill discipline not to torture; however some people forget that.

A spanking with a flat board, a set number of times and by a set individual has been found to be the method of choice by 20 states that allow Corporal Punishment in schools.

I can honestly say that I never went to the Principals or Deans office for a paddling. But I knew quite a few people that did, For years after we left school, we would find ourselves talking about it. When we reminisced, it was done with laughter and oddly enough fond memories. The ignorance of the behavior that led to the punishment and the memory of the Principal or Dean who had to dole out the punishment.

1. A spanking instills fear and in turn, less disruptive behavior in class and more learning.
2. Some of the studies done on "racial profiling" and the number of cases of minorities punished were done in areas where the number of colored students were higher than whites, so how accurate is that finding?
3. Many parents today, want to be "friends" with their children and don't discipline at home, making their children disruptive at school and take away from the learning time in the classroom.
4. Many parents today, don't spend quality time with their children nor instill discipline in their children.
5. Other programs have a large number of repeat offenders, showing that some "play nice" programs don't work in disciplining children.

Cons of Corporal Punishment

1. As with anything and everything, there have been studies that say that corporal punishment is not a good thing. Most of those done by human rights organizations get the most notice.
2. They find that it is a destructive form of discipline and that students of color and disabilities are the main targets of disciplinary action.
3. Some parents today are quick to say that discipline should be done at home and not at the school.
4. Segregating and punishing the unruly children is counter productive to social development, etc.
5. Don't use corporal punishment, implement other programs to instill discipline.

Depending on the study and what appears to be " a point of view"; those that fight for the cause of Child Abuse are quick to say no. Others that grew up under the strict rules and spankings believe that it does and say that is why we have so many issues with today's youth. "They never get any discipline and we are creating a generation of undisciplined individuals with lack of moral fiber.

I was torn betwixt and between on this myself when my children started school. And we were very hands on when it came to their behavior at school. The schools they attended had a form that if a parent wanted corporal punishment used on their child, they could sign it. We signed it with the stipulation that we would be called before it was dealt. Not so much to stop it, but to know why, so we could follow up with discipline at home. Of all of our children, we had one that gave us a run for our money and his punishment always fit the crime.

Now they are all grown and parents themselves and we can still sit and talk and laugh about those memories. So, do I believe in corporal punishment. I think I support it as much as I feel that every parent owes it to their child to be there to guide them and show them the way so they don't spend time in the Deans office and if they do, they understand why.

Maybe that is the key, corporal punishment and communication.