Away with the Rod, Save the Child
Tiffany Douarnymey
South University
Professor M. Bomhower
English 1200: English Composition II
The concept of corporal punishment is to correct the undesirable behavior by using swift force, to stop a child from repeating certain negative behaviors in the future. Although, most are familiar with the saying, ‘Spare the rod, Spoil the child’, some seem to interpret its meaning as a permissible form of discipline. Some devout beliefs, use this ideology as a method of administering discipline to be justifiable, which is why corporal punishment is still legal in many states today. Corporal punishment undeniably does more harm than good such as, inflicting mental and physical harm, and producing an …show more content…
The description of corporal punishment is to purposefully inflict pain on a person’s body, and the result being that the person will no longer be disobedient. Once disciplined, the person learns that the behavior displayed is not tolerated. According to the Dictionary Online definition:
[By] Law. physical punishment, as flogging, inflicted on the body of one convicted of a crime: formerly included the death penalty, sentencing to a term of years, etc.… physical punishment, as spanking, inflicted on a child by an adult in authority (Dictionary, 2017).
Corporal punishment is used in several ways, but when applying that to a school setting, educators should not be allowed to physically harm children. Supporters would argue that the use of corporal punishment is effective, when used in moderation. Alternative methods such as, time-outs, detentions, etc., are unsuccessful. They also argue that alternative methods do not correct the behavior, and children often do not consider the consequences for their actions. By setting clear …show more content…
They also argue, that the rise in delinquency is reason to keep corporal punishment and to reestablish its presence in more schools nationwide. According to Clark (2004), “…there are restrictions placed on where the strokes may land—school authorities may, for example, promulgate regulations about where the instrument may strike, with some precision about where on the buttocks the corporal punishment is to be administered” (p. 364). However, there is confirmed long lasting psychological effects from a child exposed to corporal punishment well into their adulthood. Some experts attribute violent, criminal acts with corporal punishment because children have already been accustomed to devious acts displaced onto them. In addition, they believe that a student’s self-esteem may lower from resulting in constant isolation and intense verbal altercations by teachers. Research by Dupper and Dingus (2008) supports, “…the excessive use of corporal punishment has been shown to be associated with conduct disorder in children and is comorbid with PTSD”. The disturbing evidence of the detrimental aspects that corporal punishments has on children is irrefutable. Victims of corporal punishment often express embarrassment, triggering an intense hatred for authority and a propensity to avoid others. The misconception that children raised with
Tiffany Douarnymey
South University
Professor M. Bomhower
English 1200: English Composition II
The concept of corporal punishment is to correct the undesirable behavior by using swift force, to stop a child from repeating certain negative behaviors in the future. Although, most are familiar with the saying, ‘Spare the rod, Spoil the child’, some seem to interpret its meaning as a permissible form of discipline. Some devout beliefs, use this ideology as a method of administering discipline to be justifiable, which is why corporal punishment is still legal in many states today. Corporal punishment undeniably does more harm than good such as, inflicting mental and physical harm, and producing an …show more content…
The description of corporal punishment is to purposefully inflict pain on a person’s body, and the result being that the person will no longer be disobedient. Once disciplined, the person learns that the behavior displayed is not tolerated. According to the Dictionary Online definition:
[By] Law. physical punishment, as flogging, inflicted on the body of one convicted of a crime: formerly included the death penalty, sentencing to a term of years, etc.… physical punishment, as spanking, inflicted on a child by an adult in authority (Dictionary, 2017).
Corporal punishment is used in several ways, but when applying that to a school setting, educators should not be allowed to physically harm children. Supporters would argue that the use of corporal punishment is effective, when used in moderation. Alternative methods such as, time-outs, detentions, etc., are unsuccessful. They also argue that alternative methods do not correct the behavior, and children often do not consider the consequences for their actions. By setting clear …show more content…
They also argue, that the rise in delinquency is reason to keep corporal punishment and to reestablish its presence in more schools nationwide. According to Clark (2004), “…there are restrictions placed on where the strokes may land—school authorities may, for example, promulgate regulations about where the instrument may strike, with some precision about where on the buttocks the corporal punishment is to be administered” (p. 364). However, there is confirmed long lasting psychological effects from a child exposed to corporal punishment well into their adulthood. Some experts attribute violent, criminal acts with corporal punishment because children have already been accustomed to devious acts displaced onto them. In addition, they believe that a student’s self-esteem may lower from resulting in constant isolation and intense verbal altercations by teachers. Research by Dupper and Dingus (2008) supports, “…the excessive use of corporal punishment has been shown to be associated with conduct disorder in children and is comorbid with PTSD”. The disturbing evidence of the detrimental aspects that corporal punishments has on children is irrefutable. Victims of corporal punishment often express embarrassment, triggering an intense hatred for authority and a propensity to avoid others. The misconception that children raised with