Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment has been a part of family life for thousands of years, taking its place in societies all over the globe. From wood switches to thick leather belts, all sorts of tools have been used to discipline naughty children. No one has ever really examined the question of whether or not this form of punishment is productive or counterproductive. In examining the situation of whether or not this form of punishment is warranted or even what one might consider proper, a sample situation must be examined. Let’s say, for argument’s sake that a little boy named Johnny just threw a temper tantrum and threw his bowl of Coco CrispiesÓ all over the kitchen floor. Now there are two things his mother could do at …show more content…
Now if she had spanked him or taken harsh words with him, she would be the lesser for it. He would be left with no reason for why his action was wrong, and he would resent his mother and possibly end up with some emotional damage since his mother gave him no reasoning behind her actions. He would see his mother as an abusive parent, which would lead him to fear his mother for years to come, dissolving any possibility of them ever developing a normal mother-son relationship.
This is just one fictional example that probably takes form in some way or another in the homes of millions of families. It is more than a question of whether or not to hit a child; it is a question of whether or not it benefits the child. Harsh words and/or a physical punishment do not adequately correct a child and they also leave the child with unanswered questions as to why he was punished in that manner. Those who use this form of punishment try to justify it by saying that they had it used on them and they turned out “o.k.” In response to this, only one out of three persons who smoke actually die from smoking. Does this mean that cigarettes are not harmful? No, cigarettes are harmful, it is just that not everyone who smokes actually dies from it. In the same way, not everyone who has encounters with corporal punishment as a child, ends up getting hurt in some way or another. With so many advances in the field of child psychology, one must wonder why corporal
Markham believes that “corporal punishment was linked with . . . increased rates of aggression, delinquency, mental health problems, and problems in relationships with their parents. . . .As adults, they are more likely to hit their spouses.” Markham’s statements, however, can easily be disproven. Markham based her facts on an “analysis of 88 corporal punishment studies over six decades. . . .” While initially these studies may seem trustworthy, it is impossible for them to be believable. Six decades ago, if a child was receiving a punishment, he was told to grab a switch from outside and bring it to his parent so the child could be spanked with it. When that child became a parent a couple decades later, he used the same form of punishment on his children because it worked on him when he was a child and the cycle then repeats. These studies cannot accurately show that spanking in childhood has caused issues in adulthood because throughout generations parents continue to use the same punishment on their children even if the parents did not agree with the punishment when they were
The main problem with hitting children is the psychological effect it has on them. One reason parents claim to hit their children is to
The laws in the states back this theory by allowing the use of reasonable physical punishment that does not include a deliberate act to harm or injury children. (p. 1) The vague definitions of these state laws the failure to define the limits between discipline and abuse have led to inconsistent decisions in the judicial system across the country. Carlson, (2009) reported that although physical punishment may stop a misbehavior on the spot some of the times; the effects of continued physical punishment can lead to aggression and teach children continued abuse as they visualize the idea that power comes from a large individual forcing a smaller individual to do something regardless of what they are thinking. (p.2) The moment a parent physically disciplines children the stress may be released for that moment but that act of punishment escalates without the parent noticing. Soon, law enforcement officers at knocking on the door and another otherwise great parent is headed to jail or worse, does not get reported and gets to do it all over again next
Thomas Eddlem is a longtime freelance writer and high school history teacher. His credentials as related to the topic of corporal punishment is that he is a parent to three children as well as a blogger. His stake in this issue is appropriately used corporal punishment is both effective and beneficial. Additionally, He discloses no noteable financial backing for his opinions. He aims this article at a universal/ friendly audience. His purpose is to persuade the audience to believe that corporal punishment, when used on toddlers, is the most effective means of discipline. He claims a ban
The poll asked if a child less than one year old should be spanked. As a result, 81 percent of the mothers disagreed with spanking a child less than a year of age, and 19 percent believe a child under a year of age should be spanked (Jet 16). Then when asked if a child of 1-3 years old should be spanked, 26 percent disagreed with spanking at that age and an astounding 74 percent agreed with spanking a child of this age(Jet 16). When asked about the harshness of the spanking, 92 percent said they do not leave visible marks of damage while only eight percent say they do leave a mark upon the child (Jet 16). The results of both polls show consistent finding with the research of sociologist Richard J. Gelles, PhD, and director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island. He Believes ?Hitting children is so taken for granted in out society that almost all parent view spanking as an inevitable part of raising children?(Working Mother 48). He believes this ideology will remain apart of our culture because it is infused within each of us since birth (Working Mother 48).
When a child is acting up, a parent can either teach the child what they did wrong and make it a learning experience, or react harshly to the behavior of the child and as a result,
What is the harm of a little physical reinforcement to ensure children know how to properly act in society? This idea of physical reinforcement is also known as corporal punishment and is still present today in southern American states including some Texas school systems. Corporal Punishment is defined as a “punishment of a physical nature, such as caning, flogging, or beating” however this fails to include the psychological implications of corporal punishment in schools (corporal punishment). The benefits of corporal punishment in the short-run are outweighed by the negative effects the punishment produces evident by the Social learning theory, anti-social behavior results, and development beyond the
They claim that spanking only teaches the child to fear their parents instead of respecting them. It can be dangerous because children will grow up thinking it's okay to hit other people to get their way, which is what parents do. Spanking can lead to violent behaviors later in their lives. "Corporal punishment is of limited effectiveness and has potentially deleterious side effects," American Academy of Pediatrics has said in a policy statement. In a 2002 study, published in the Psychology Bulletin, said that even though corporal punishment can make a child obey their parents in the short run, it can also be the link to long-term problems such as mental disorders and behavioral
The continuing pattern of injustice is seen in the opposition. The opposing side argues the fact that they were spanked as children and this action has done no long term damage to them. The damage they are looking for is unseen. It is in the way they function as a parent, spouse, co-worker, and even affects their sub-conscious thinking. The fact that these people were subjected to spanking as children is the reason they have justified their argument for hitting their children. It creates a pattern and increases the likelihood the children in these situations will continue that pattern (AAP 725). Most parents do not know how to stop the cycle. Parents must decide for themselves how to take control of the situation, and decide what results they want for their own children.
In Australia it is legal to smack children as a form of discipline, however this is something that should be seriously looked at, as it can lead to severe consequences, such as psychological damage, through parents abusing their children. On the other hand, there is a need to discipline children, but this can be achieved through alternative punishments, rather than parents resorting to a scornful slap. The common idea in this country is that, it is okay to smack children as a form of discipline, however this brutish idea needs to change before more instances of child cruelty are brought to light.
Research over the past 40 years been remarkably consistent in showing that hitting children increases the chances of a child becoming physically aggressive, delinquent, or both. The research in this book leads me to conclude that corporal punishment leaves invisible scars that affect many other aspects of life.
Corporal punishment in these days has been becoming a topic in many old timers talks. Many believe that it helps and is definitely the way to go. The older generations still seem to believe that society would be better off if kids still got punished the way they did. They refuse to ignore data that has not supported the clams they bring up about making children better behaved or as they call it “Straightening them up”. Many believe that our liberal democracy population has views that are not valid and that the old ways need to come back to help us grow.
The world has changed in many different ways, but there are still things that need to be changed for the better. Corporal punishment is one of those things. All around the world, corporal punishment is affecting children in many ways. It is described as a form of discipline that hurts a child in a way and is used both in homes and schools. It has been going on for years upon years and very few people try to stop it. People believe corporal punishment is good for children, but there have been so many negative outcomes that other people argue against it. Although some people believe that corporal punishment helps improve a child’s behavior, corporal punishment should not be used because it could be used excessively and it is ineffective.
Children are like flowers, if well taken care of they will bloom. If ignored or tortured, they will wither and die. Child discipline is one of the most important elements of successful parenting. Today, many people have this notion that physical abuse is in no way a solution to helping children discern between right and wrong. Since generations children have been taught the art of discipline through physical punishment. Often this approach to disciplining has resulted in two outcomes, one is where the child becomes more tolerant and is willing to adhere to what he/she has been told, or the other which more often results in children developing a sense of anguish and desire to revolt.
Since corporal punishment occurs rarely and escapes the possibility of observation, researchers interested in the effects of corporal