“The use of corporal punishment in schools is not an effective or ethical method for management of behavior concerns and causes harm to children” (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023)
The topic of corporal punishment is always a hot topic. It is chilling to know that it is still legal to use corporal punishment in public schools in 18 states and private schools in all but two states. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) just released a new policy statement renewing its call to end corporal punishment in schools.1,2
Corporal punishment is defined as the infliction of pain upon a person’s body. It makes me cringe to hear that definition and consider that such a mode of punishment is still considered valid when dealing with children. The people that consider this a viable option don’t understand or are unwilling to listen to any discussion to the contrary. Well, the evidence is mounting against such a policy, and I am glad that the AAP has spoken out again. Let’s address several of the issues that have been raised in the past and with the new statement –
- There is good evidence to show that early spanking leads to children that exhibit more aggressive behavior at age two and perform worse on measures of thinking abilities at age three.3 It makes sense that those exposed to pain would have such difficulties.
- There is good evidence to demonstrate that parents more likely to use physical punishment also suffered from physical punishment themselves when they were children. This form of punishment therefore unfortunately gets passed from generation to generation.
- Physical punishment occurs when you are mad. It therefore sends the message that it is ok to strike out at someone when you are angry. I have heard the argument from some parents that when they spank their child they tell them that “it hurts me more than it hurts you.” This line of reasoning shows total disregard for the developing child and how fear and physical punishment affects in a negative way the developing brain. It is a rationalization of irrational behavior.
- I often hear from folks that “my daddy (or momma) gave me a good whuppin’ when I was a kid and it taught me a lesson.” I accept the notion that not everyone that receives physical punishment uses the same when they grow up. But it sure increases their chances! We do not want to continue the cycle. A useful analogy is to look at smoking. Not everyone that takes up smoking will get lung disease or cancer, but it dramatically increases their risks. Not everyone that receives a spanking becomes an abuser (or uses physical means to express their emotions), but it sure increases their risk. I want all children to have a fair start and being the victim of corporal punishment doesn’t do that.
- Relationships based on fear (of physical punishment) are exceedingly harmful to any attempts to establish safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs). To think otherwise ignores evidence that children’s abilities to forge lasting relationships requires the demonstration of safety, stability and nurturing by their caregivers. Caregivers that are “pussy cats” one minute and then “menacing tigers” the next send conflicting messages that children cannot interpret and therefore tend to withdraw or avoid those individuals.
- There is good evidence to demonstrate that corporal punishment in schools is meted out disproportionately to students with disabilities and students that are Black and students that are male.(references 7-9 in #1 below) Unequal disciplinary measures are unfair and unjust.
- Corporal punishment has no demonstrable positive effects. In the short-term, the child might be fearful or obedient, but in the long-term, there is no consistent improvement in behavior.
- Long-term effects of corporal punishment include higher incidence of behavior and mental health problems, impaired cognitive development, poor educational outcomes, impaired social-emotional development and higher risks for physical abuse, aggression, and antisocial behavior.(reference 18 in #1 below) All of those are unacceptable to me, and I hope are unacceptable to others.
- It is always important to look for lessons elsewhere. One study looking at 88 countries where corporal punishment is banned at home and at schools reported a lower prevalence of physical fighting among male and female adolescents attending school.(reference 19 in #1 below) This does not prove a true association but does strongly suggest that changes in behaviors of adults can influence that behavior of children.
- We need to be mindful that our “punishment” should be considered to be discipline. The root word for discipline is “disciple” or to teach. Our handling of behavior issues therefore needs to be a teaching experience. I readily acknowledge that such exercises can be quite challenging. But most of the time, we are trying to deal forcefully with an abnormal behavior by asking “what’s wrong with you?” and not really seeking any understanding of the situation. Over time, when you take a more holistic approach by looking at “what happened to you” (how could these behaviors have gotten to this level of maladaptive expression), we can try to take a step back and look at alternative ways of dealing with them. They include –
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a tiered framework for supporting the mix of behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health issues.4 Tens of thousands of schools across the country are using PBIS.
- Positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors
- Setting limits
- Redirecting
- Restorative justice
- Conflict resolution
- Mentoring
- Individual therapy
- Numerous tools from departments of education (federal and state) can assist with establishing a supportive school climate and encouraging desired behaviors5
I hope that you will join the crusade to ban physical punishment for children. Yes, in schools but I also hope that we work towards eliminating it everywhere. It is not effective, it causes harm, and it emphasizes power and fear over compassion and empathy. Let the lessons of forgiveness as taught by our children by our guide.6 Children should not be the focus of our anger and brute strength. We can do better.
- Allison MA, Beers N, Peterson JW, AAP Council on School Health. Corporal Punishment. Pediatrics. 2023;152(3):e2023063284
- AAP News Release, August 21, 2023. “American Academy of Pediatrics Renews its Call to End Corporal Punishment in Schools” – https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2023/american-academy-of-pediatrics-renews-its-call-to-end-corporal-punishment-in-schools/
- Berlin IJ et al. Correlates and consequences of spanking and verbal punishment for low-income white, African-American, and Mexican American toddlers. Child Dev 2009 Sept-Oct;80(5):1403-20.
- https://www.pbis.org
- https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/school-discipline/support.html
- https://mychildrenschildren.com/children-as-our-teachers-2/