The Laws Regarding Corporal Punishment

Did you know that Corporal Punishment is legal in 21 states in the united states, but not in the other 29 states, and it’s only used in 13 of those 21 states. I believe that Corporal Punishment should be allowed in every state in the united states because, it helps kids learn better, it takes stress of teachers, and it teaches kids discipline.

A recent study shows 70 percent of parents believe it is right to discipline a child through physical means. Most commonly, parents will spank their children but being hit with things like belts or other objects happens as well. Parenting methods haven’t changed much with time and discipline in similar no matter the country. With more studies out to find the most effective method of parenting and discipline it’s coming to attention whether or not physical harm is the best way to teach children. Parents want what is best for their children, so it is important to constantly bring up and question methods commonly accepted in the past. One method that is becoming more controversial is spanking children. Though it is still considered normal to do, it is gaining more traction and more studies are being done to find the problems it causes. Checking on parenting methods can be difficult as everyone is raised differently. It is also difficult to test which forms of punishment lead to certain outcomes. However, there is a trend of negative effects from hitting. Gershoff acknowledges, “several national professional organizations have called on parents to abandon spanking as a child rearing practice and for professionals to recommend disciplinary alternatives to spanking.” Spanking children is a terrible discipline method as it has negative effects.

The general acceptance, and sometimes support, of corporal punishment as a method of discipline is an aspect of the American culture (Barnett, Miller-Perrin, Perrin 61).

By avoiding the use of corporal punishment these methods are much more effective as long as they remain consistent. Respecting a child and managing their growth is necessary, it is how these punishments are effective when implemented in future situations. These corporal punishments often start as exactly that, punishment, but ‘nearly two-thirds of the abusive incidents begin as acts of corporal punishment meant to correct a child's misbehaviour.’ (Gershoff, 2010). Trying to find out why a child is behaving in a certain manner is also very important in determining if a direction change is needed rather than the constant use of abuse. Even more evidence of these actions above show that in analysis of the studies, (Gershoff, 2010) it was found that in 87 percent of the cases corporal punishment the children actually showed considerably less long-term compliance, displaying that it actually is not a viable method to sustaining a child’s

Much controversy surrounds the topic of corporal punishment with children. Arguments against the use of physical punishment usually revolve around the perception that it is abuse and that healthier methods of disciplining children effectively accomplish adjusting behavior. Those who support spanking usually employ religious arguments, citing religious values, or cultural arguments, citing social context and how parents themselves were raised. Religious beliefs, culture, and perceptions of abuse produce different approaches to parenting. Diana Baumrind identified three styles of parenting, authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative (Berger, 2014, pp. 287-288). These methods of parenting will support or oppose corporal punishment to varying

Currently, 24 countries have banned the practice of spanking children; labeling it child abuse. However, in America 49 states permit physical punishment by parents (Gershoff). There are mandates that define appropriate physical punishment, but there is truly no appropriate way to hit a child. Parents often resort to spanking in an effort to control their child’s behavior. It is true that most children will immediately respond to the pain that is inflicted upon them and stop the bad behavior. However, it is proven to make children more aggressive towards others. Furthermore, it is not worth the risk of causing life altering psychological impairments. Instead parents should focus on non-violent forms of discipline, such as positive reinforcement and redirection or time-out. Spanking may give parents the immediate satisfaction of changed behavior, but it is not worth the life-time of damaging

“The Committee on the Rights of the Child in the General Comment No. 8 defines corporal punishment as, “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. Most involves hitting (“smacking”, “slapping”, “spanking”) children, with the hand or with an implement” (unicef website). Corporal punishment has been used in schools as a method of discipline and as a form of punishment for committing a crime. Some people will say that corporal punishment is no different from physical abuse, because your intending to cause some degree of pain or discomfort. However from my personal experience I went to an elementary school where they were allowed to spank the children as long as the child’s parents had signed an approval form. So needless to say if I ever got sent down to the principles officer for acting out or being bad my parents gave the principle permission to spank me. I believe that there is a difference between corporal punishment and physical abuse. Corporal punishment is a method of disciplining a child or person for acting out or for committing a crime, whereas physical abuse is causing nonaccidnetal physical injury for no apparent reason. My parents raised me to know that if I did something bad I was bound to get a “butt whooping” so I knew that if I did the same thing

Spanking, also known as corporal punishment is a highly controversial method of discipline that parents currently use in an attempt to modify their children’s misbehavior. This type of punishment is not known to uplift the essence of education in children, and many parents and researchers feel that spanking leads to developmental problems. Research studies show how spanking produces a negative effect in children, and parents and caregivers should reconsider the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline for their children because of its harmful effects. In addition, there are other, better alternatives that can be used to discipline children.

According to Robert E. Larzelere, “About 94%of American 3- and 4-year olds have been spanked by a parent at least once during the past year (Straus & Stewart, 1999)”. This static shows that most American children in the past used to be spanked, and corporal punishment was almost universal in America. Since corporal punishment has many disadvantages, many experts have been persuading people not to use corporal punishment, and some countries, such as Sweden, have enacted laws to prohibit corporal punishment. However, corporal punishment is still common in America nowadays: “According to a 2013 study by Columbia University, 57 percent of mothers and 40 percent of fathers gave spankings when their children were age three, and 52 percent of mothers

In regards to corporal punishment, the United States has a different view on it than the rest of the world. As most

Today, in the era of human rights, while the rights of children are officially recognized by international bodies, corporal punishment have not disappeared. According to a survey conducted in 2005 by the School of Psychology on behalf of UNICEF, violence against children worldwide spares no social category: it is present in the streets, in charitable institutions, of course, in the family. It appears indeed concluded this inquiry as an educational method and a culturally accepted way of social regulation. According to the same study, many parents admitted beating their children, some admit lecturing and another minority resort to punishments

While some think or believe that spanking is a destructive form of discipline and is ineffective. Others believe that spanking children is necessary especially when dealing with an unruly child. Spanking is not a practice that is accepted everywhere in the world and is prohibited by law in some places. In some countries such as Germany, France, and Spain spanking is illegal and considered a crime while in the U.S. as of recent there appears to be a trend of punishment for “physically harming” children. In fact, parents can be prosecuted, jailed and have their children taken away as a result since it is deemed as child abuse. Even though spanking a child is illegal and prohibited by law in some places, it is still yet a method used and a common practice of discipline and the law often turns a blind eye to it, if it is done within reason.

Many studies on cases of adults who have tendency to perpetuate abuses, either as a victim or as an abuser, are traced in the pattern of violence experienced at home, and many are reportedly experience being physically violated by spanking during their childhood. Despite the information and advocacy available in almost all media these days, there are still parents who thought that spanking their children to emphasize discipline is still beneficial. The benefits cited by those supporting spanking as acceptable method of discipline varied across culture and race. Generally, there are three views or positions about spanking as a form of discipline (Benject C. & Kazdin A, 2003) : Pro-corporal punishment, anti-corporal punishment, and conditional corporal punishment.

Many studies have come out with negative effects that can come about from using many forms of corporal punishment. As parents we need to ask ourselves are we able to control ourselves when we are upset at our kids? Are we able to be fair to our kids? Can the things we do to our children come back and turn out to be used against us and others? “Corporal punishment

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.