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UNITED STATESMILITARYACADEMY

STOP PADDLING:

BANNING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS

EN101: COMPOSITION

SECTION 6L

LTC LES KNOTTS

BY CADET KENYA JONES ’09, CO C1

WEST POINT, NEW YORK

21 OCTOBER 2005

Stop Paddling:Banning Corporal Punishment in Schools

Teachers and school authorities in America should not be permitted to physically discipline their students because it produces a perpetual cycle of violence, and creates an opportunity for abuse of this power. There are many different alternatives to corporal punishment.Often producing superior results, with a reduced amount of negative effects, these alternative methods should replace physical punishment.

In order to recognize the serious nature of this topic, one must understand that corporal punishments still exist in the United States.The Center for Effective Discipline recounts that only twenty eight states have completely banned corporal punishment in their school systems. They also report that in the year 1999-2000, approximately 342,000 students were subject to corporal punishment. Although paddling is the most common form of discipline used, there have been numerous cases of bruises, broken bones, and even deaths. In America’s military, mental hospitals, and even prisons, corporal punishment is unacceptable. However, in the institutions where our children are gathered, striking another person is legally authorized.

Excessive punishment is considered physical abuse and physical abuse will create a cycle of violence.There have been research studies conducted, determining that children who were physically abused or mal-treated are more likely to be violent, commit crimes, commit suicide, be prone to anxiety attacks, as well as many other negative psychological effects (Newton).Schools that utilize corporal punishment have high cases of vandalism and student violence towards peers (Center for Effective Discipline).

People in positions of authority have the opportunity to abuse their power, and this is a serious issue when it comes to physical punishment. It is unrealistic to believe that all teachers are fair in their dealings with students. The statistics can verify it: “Black students are hit at a rate that is more than twice their makeup in the population. Blacks comprise 17% of students, but receive 39% of paddlings.” Corporal punishment is used more frequently on poor children, minorities, and boys. Studies also show that disabled children are four times more likely to be physically abused (Center for Effective Discipline). These facts and statistics clearly indicate that teachers are most likely targeting a certain group of children, therefore abusing their authority.

"In this era of reform, is it too much to expect educators to think of more civilized ways to correctstudents?" (Center for Effective Discipline). It is not too much to expect educators to utilize alternative methods—which have proven more effective—in disciplining students. While physical punishments cause students to comply out of fear, alternative punishments allow students to develop self-discipline. In a child, self-discipline is the ability to asses a situation and to make sound decisions, without the direct influence of an adult.The National Association of School Psychologists provide some examples of substitute punishments: emphasizing positive behavior, practical rules that are fairly enforced, counseling, detention, and involving parents. When schools create a positive atmosphere for students to learn in, students will learn better. In direct contrast, when schools insist on using corporal punishment, they have poorer academic achievement and higher drop-out rates (Center for Effective Discipline).

Corporal punishment in schools has negative effects that affect the students’ ability to learn. Substitute methods of punishment have been proven to be more effective, allowing students to develop properly. Therefore, the school systems of all the states in our country should ban corporal punishment and utilize alternative methods.

Works Cited

Center for Effective Discipline. Ed. Chris Palmer. 17 Oct. 2005. Center for Effective Discipline.

18 Oct. 2005 <

NASP Position Statement on Corporal Punishment in Schools. 2002. National Association of

School Psychologists. 18 Oct. 2005

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Newton, C. J. “Child Abuse: An Overview”. TherapistFinder.Net Mental Health Journal(2001).

18 Oct. 2005 <