Corporal Punishment

Currently, the United States is one of few western democracies in which the use of CP in the schools is still legal. Internationally, most industrialized, European democracies eliminated the use of corporal punishment by the end of the 20th century. In 1967, New Jersey became the first state to legislatively ban corporal punishment in schools, followed in 1972 by Massachusetts.

As of 2004, the following 28 states have banned corporal punishment in the schools: Alaska (1989), California (1986), Connecticut (1989), Delaware (2003), Hawaii (1973), Illinois (1993), Iowa (1989), Maine (1975), Maryland (1993), Massachusetts (1971), Michigan (1989), Minnesota (1989), Montana (1991), Nebraska (1988), Nevada (1993), New Hampshire (1983), New Jersey (1967), New York (1985), North Dakota (1989), Oregon (1989), Rhode Island (all local boards have banned), South Dakota (1990), Utah (1992), Vermont (1985), Virginia (1989), Washington (1993), West Virginia (1994), Wisconsin (1988). In addition, Pennsylvania is close to passing a CP ban (Hinchey, 27).

Opponents contend that any form of physical punishment is a form of violence, is an ineffective method of discipline, and has major deleterious effects on the physical and mental health of its victims. Opponents also find that there is no empirical evidence that physically punishing children enhances moral character development, increases respect for teachers or other authority figures in general, or creates better controlled individuals.

Youth under the age of 15 are at greatest danger of being victims of violence in the form of corporal punishment in two primary places: their own homes at the hands of their parents or caregivers and their schools at the hands of their teachers, counselors, assistant principals, and principals. Individuals who are exposed to more severe forms of corporal punishment in their homes are at increased risk for physical and emotional abuse, disability, and death (Gershoff, 39).

Children who grow up in violent homes are at risk for learning several early and powerful lessons: (a) violence is an inherent part of a “loving” relationship; (b) violence is an acceptable way to assert one's views, get one's way, and resolve conflict between partners; and (c) violence is an acceptable method to discharge stress.

Youth who are severely physically punished become more rebellious and are more likely to demonstrate vindictive behavior and seek retribution against parents, school officials, and others in society. The use of severe corporal punishment can result in what is termed operant aggression. In this form of aggression, the victim uses the same physical intervention that was used against him or her on the parent or adult who was administering discipline. The victim retaliates to destroy or immobilize the parent or teacher to prevent delivery of further punishment. Elicited aggression can also result from the punishment in which the victim physically attacks others in the environment, even those who are not the source of the original punishment. The victim simply wants to destroy or immobilize anything that might cause delivery of additional punishment (Andero, 90).

Children who grow up in coercive families may become aggressive and further initiate aggressive interchanges that they have learned ...