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It’s High Time to Eliminate Corporal Punishment in Schools
I spent my early years in a quaint little town, navigating elementary school until I turned 10. I vividly recall a few classmates finding themselves in hot water for their antics and being sent to the principal’s office—an experience that felt like the end of the world. When they returned, curious friends would bombard them with questions like, “Did you get paddled?” or “How many swats did you take?” Even as a kid, I sensed the injustice in that, and today, as a parent, it feels even more outrageous.
With my youngest son approaching 8, the same age as those kids back in my school days, I can’t even imagine a school official striking him with a paddle. We don’t even spank at home! My upbringing didn’t include any form of corporal punishment, so the notion of smacking a child is downright alien to me. But to think it could happen at school? Absolutely not.
Living in a state where corporal punishment is banned, I assumed this archaic practice was a thing of the past everywhere. But surprise, surprise! It turns out that 22 states still permit corporal punishment in schools—15 explicitly allow it, while seven have no prohibitions at all. And don’t think it’s just a relic; during the 2011–12 school year, a staggering 166,807 students faced physical punishment, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection.
The National Association of School Psychologists defines corporal punishment as “the intentional infliction of pain or discomfort and/or the use of physical force upon a student with the intention of causing the student to experience bodily pain so as to correct or punish the student’s behavior.” The American Academy of Pediatrics has been advocating for years that all states outlaw this practice, citing its potential to harm students’ self-esteem, academic performance, and even lead to disruptive behavior.
Does it actually work? I don’t think so. Just like parental spanking, it’s been shown to be an ineffective discipline method. I didn’t behave in school simply because I feared a paddle—my respect for my teachers and the values instilled in me played a far more significant role.
Moreover, studies reveal that minorities are disproportionately affected by corporal punishment. According to the Brookings Institution, Black children are twice as likely to be physically punished as their white peers. This disparity is exacerbated in the states responsible for most corporal punishment incidents—Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma—where a higher Black population correlates with higher rates of punishment. And let’s not forget students with disabilities, who are also more likely to face physical discipline, as noted in an ACLU report.
Who thought this was a good idea? Recently, U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. urged all states to abolish corporal punishment, emphasizing that such actions would be deemed criminal assault if directed at adults in those very states. Will the 22 states that still allow this listen?
Schools should be sanctuaries for all students, spaces where they can learn academics and social skills without the fear of violence. When behavior issues arise, punishment through pain is not the answer. We have better methods available to us. As King articulated, “This practice has no place in the public schools of a modern nation that plays such an essential role in the advancement and protection of civil and human rights.”
It’s long overdue to retire the paddles, abandon violence against children, and modernize school discipline practices to befit the 21st century.
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Summary:
Corporal punishment in schools remains legal in 22 states, despite its proven ineffectiveness and negative impact on students, particularly among minorities and those with disabilities. Advocates, including U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr., argue for its abolition, emphasizing the need for safer, more effective discipline methods. It’s time to move beyond outdated practices and foster welcoming environments for all students.