Just recently, NPR aired a jaw-dropping segment titled “Where Corporal Punishment Is Still Used In Schools, Its Roots Run Deep.” The report revealed a shocking statistic: during the 2013-2014 school year, approximately 110,000 students across the United States faced physical punishment. This is particularly prevalent in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, where thousands of students are paddled annually. Seriously?
As a 34-year-old who grew up in a conservative state like Utah, I always thought paddling was a relic of the past. I held that belief until my commute to work led me to this eye-opening story. Imagine my disbelief learning that not only is paddling still legal, but it also occurs in both elementary and high schools!
As a father of three, I suspect many other parents share this outdated belief. To illustrate, when I was in elementary school, we read a tale—likely by Mark Twain—about a child who was paddled. We had a chat about how such practices were old-fashioned and no longer acceptable.
NPR pointed out that most corporal punishment is administered with parental consent. The story highlighted Robbinsville High School in North Carolina, where Principal Tom Grant remains the only high school principal in the state who still paddles students—always with permission from their parents.
Let’s pause for a moment. We’re discussing children aged 15 to 18 being summoned to the principal’s office for offenses like having a phone ring during class. One example involved a sophomore who was given the option of either being paddled or serving in-school suspension. It’s hard to fathom that in 2017, this kind of discipline is still happening. The girl in question chose paddling, and her father responded with, “Just paddle her because down here in the mountains, we do it the old-school way.”
I’m not here to label this father as a terrible parent or to suggest that what’s happening at this North Carolina school is straight out of the 1800s—I’ll leave that judgement up to you. However, I can confidently say that most American schools have moved beyond corporal punishment. Despite what you hear on certain news channels, we haven’t descended into chaos where kids are running wild, reminiscent of “Lord of the Flies.”
It’s important to note Principal Grant’s view: “I think if more schools did it, we’d have a whole lot better society. I do, I believe that.” This perspective stands in stark contrast to the scientific evidence showing that corporal punishment leads to higher dropout rates, increased depression, substance abuse, and more aggressive behavior later on.
On a more positive note, at least in theory, parents must consent for school administrators to lay a hand on their children. Personally, if a principal called me to propose paddling one of my kids, I’d respond with a resounding, “Absolutely not!” Instead, I’d consider filing a complaint or transferring my child to another school district.
But for some parents, especially in rural Southern areas, that choice might not be feasible. If you find yourself in this situation, make it abundantly clear that no one has permission to physically discipline your kids.
In December, numerous organizations—including the National PTA, the Children’s Defense Fund, and the American Academy of Pediatrics—joined together to advocate for an end to corporal punishment. Their aim? “By eliminating the harmful practice of corporal punishment and implementing positive, evidence-based policies, local and state leaders can help students achieve access to a safe and high-quality education.” Like these advocates, I firmly believe that corporal punishment has no place in education; it should truly be a thing of the past.
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In summary, the practice of paddling in schools is an outdated form of discipline that needs to end. With the support of various organizations and a growing understanding of its harmful effects, it’s time for educational institutions to adopt more modern, positive approaches to behavior management.