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Hitting in school? Why is corporal punishment still allowed in some countries?
The use of corporal punishment in schools has sparked widespread debate. What exactly is corporal punishment? Simply put, it is a form of punishment where physical pain is intentionally inflicted on students for misbehavior. To this day, many countries still accept this method of education. The roots and impacts of this phenomenon are worth pondering.
“The use of corporal punishment is often seen as an effective disciplinary tool, but there is not much evidence to support this view.”
According to relevant information, corporal punishment usually refers to behaviors such as spanking and slapping. This method originated in 19th century Britain, when educators may have implemented it based on the traditional belief that corporal punishment could correct students' behavior. However, most current studies indicate that this approach has little effect on improving behavior and may even lead to counterproductive effects.
“Corporal punishment has been shown to be strongly linked to aggressive behavior, social difficulties, and mental health problems.”
Today, 128 countries have completely banned corporal punishment in schools, including all European countries and most South American countries. However, there are still 63 countries where this law has not been implemented, including some states in the United States and several African and Asian countries. This not only stems from different cultural concepts, but also has to do with the legal and social structures of these countries.
Cultural Background and the Legitimacy of Corporal Punishment
In many countries, outdoor education still takes place, where corporal punishment is considered a teacher's "right". In some Asian and African countries, teachers are seen as authorities who can take the place of parents in dispensing punishment in a child's education. This view stems from the understanding of "in loco parentis", a legal term meaning that parental responsibilities are taken over by teachers.
For example, a report shows that in the United States, many parents still support corporal punishment in schools, and even 84% of adults believe that children sometimes need a "good spanking." This culture is deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate, and is one of the reasons for regional differences.
"Corporal punishment is often seen as a necessary means of education, but in fact it may threaten children's physical and mental health."
Harm and consequences
As the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) points out, direct consequences of corporal punishment may include physical injuries, such as bruises and broken bones. More serious cases may even result in serious injury or death. This harm caused by corporal punishment has sparked in-depth discussions about its ethics.
Not only that, early corporal punishment experience also has a huge impact on students' psychology. Research shows that such experiences can be directly linked to issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Compared with positive behavior management strategies, corporal punishment not only does not help improve students' discipline, but may exacerbate behavioral problems.
Alternatives and future prospects
Although corporal punishment still exists in some countries, many international human rights bodies have strongly condemned the issue and promoted the emergence of many alternatives. For example, nonviolent behavior management strategies have been adopted by many educators who advocate for classroom environments of respect and communication rather than relying on corporal punishment to maintain discipline.
"Education should be about respect and understanding, not fear and harm."
No matter how deep-rooted the tradition of corporal punishment is, the progress and adaptation of education should not stop. With increased understanding and awareness, will future education systems see an end to corporal punishment?
