In a recent NPR segment titled “Where Corporal Punishment Is Still Used In Schools, Its Roots Run Deep,” a shocking statistic was revealed. According to an investigation by Education Week, during the 2013-2014 academic year, approximately 110,000 students across the country experienced physical punishment. This practice remains prevalent in several states, including Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, where thousands of students are paddled annually.
Honestly, I thought we had left this behind. At 34 years old, I grew up in Utah during the ’80s, a predominantly conservative environment. I always believed paddling was a relic of the past. This assumption was shattered during my commute when I learned that corporal punishment is not only still legal but also practiced in schools today. Even more surprising was the revelation that it occurs not just in elementary schools but also in high schools.
As a father of three, I know many parents might still share my outdated view. To put this in context for those unfamiliar with the South, I remember reading a story in elementary school about a child who was paddled. It was likely a piece by Mark Twain, and we discussed how such practices were no longer acceptable.
Adding to the complexity, most instances of corporal punishment occur with parental permission. A central figure in this discussion is Principal Jake Harrington from a high school in North Carolina, who remains the sole high school principal in the state to administer corporal punishment. He typically secures consent from parents, which he claims is almost always granted.
Consider this scenario: teenagers aged 15 to 18 are summoned to the principal’s office for various offenses. One example cited was a sophomore whose phone rang in class. She was given the option of being paddled or facing in-school suspension. Remarkably, her father supported the decision to paddle, stating, “Just paddle her because down here in the mountains, we do it the old-school way.”
While I don’t want to label this father as a bad parent, it’s troubling to think that such outdated practices still persist. The majority of American schools have moved beyond corporal punishment; contrary to narratives suggesting chaos among today’s youth, our society hasn’t devolved into anarchy.
This view contradicts Principal Harrington’s belief that more schools should adopt corporal punishment for a better society. He overlooks substantial research indicating that such practices correlate with increased dropout rates, depression, substance abuse, and future violence.
On a positive note, parents must opt into allowing school officials to hit their children. Personally, if a principal contacted me about paddling my child, my response would be an emphatic “no.” I might even consider confronting him, but I would ultimately choose to file a complaint or seek another school district.
However, for parents in rural areas where corporal punishment is more common, the options might be limited. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s essential to clearly state that no one is permitted to physically discipline your child.
In December, numerous organizations, including the National PTA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, signed a letter advocating for the abolition of corporal punishment. Their aim is clear: “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 the signatories of this letter, I firmly believe that corporal punishment has no place in modern education and should be considered a thing of the past.
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In summary, the use of corporal punishment in schools, particularly in certain states, is an outdated practice that must be abolished. Parents should assert their rights to protect their children from such measures, advocating for a more supportive and effective approach to discipline in education.