Corporal Punishment - Pros and Cons - Literature review Example

Corporal Punishment Introduction Corporal punishment has been used as a means to discipline children since the times of our forefathers. Statistics cited by Niolon shows that approximately 94 percent of parents in the US alone hit, smack, strike, or slap their children as early as when the children are three years old (para. 1). In fact, Niolon puts forward the fact that these parents report to discipline their children through slapping, smacking, or hitting once or twice monthly (para. 1). Statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services cited by Niolon also shows that approximately 13 children per 1000 are reported to be ill-treated, physically abused and abandoned. Corporal punishment is also widely used today particularly in the US. A methodical investigation explicated by American Psychoanalytic Association demonstrated that roughly 65 percent of grownups in the US support and endorse physical punishment as a disciplining technique for their children. Roughly 50 percent of American parents also reported to have employed physical punishment to punish their children according to the results of this methodical investigation (para. 5). This paper argues against corporal punishment. Defining corporal punishment Before delineating the issues that necessitate the discouragement of corporal punishment, it would be of significance to define the term. Corporal punishment is defined by Nkechi and Obioma as "Deliberate infliction of pain, intended as correction or punishment" (17). A number of countries have implemented policies that prohibit the use of corporal punishment as a method of instilling discipline to children as it is infringement of the civil liberties of children (American Psychoanalytic Association, para. 8). This however does not mean that disciplining a child should be discouraged in totality. What policies against corporal punishment prohibit is any physical infliction of pain or any action that could injure or harm a child. Corporal punishment should not be encouraged Religion is considered as a guiding principle to many practices and activities within the society. With regards to a Christians perspective, there are conflicting viewpoints in relation to corporal punishment. In other words, some Christians believe that Bible teachings allow the employment of physical punishment as a means of disciplining children while other are in opposition. Supporters of corporal punishment as explicated by Swan argue that children are born with what they refer to as original sin and therefore physical punishment ought to be employed when they err in order to remove them from this sin (para. 12). Additionally, these supporters or advocates of corporal punishment maintain that parents should use objects to confer physical punishment to their children, not their hands. According to them, use of objects rather than their hands is a show of solidarity to the Biblical perspectives that hands ought to be professed as tools of showing love (Swan, para. 14). However, methodical investigations explicated by Swan posit that corporal punishment has resulted to physical harms and even fatalities. Those in opposition of the assertion that the Bible allows physical punishment argue that the interpretation of the teachings of the Bible that inflicting pain to children is a show of love elevates the level of psychological pain inflicted to a child (para. 24). In addition, those in opposition argue that the Biblical principles that children are born with original sin could force parents to conclude that their children are haunted by evil spirits and hence start performing inhuman practices to evict the evil spirits (Para. 26). It is also worth noting that the Biblical principles advocated for by supporters of physical punishment encourage parents to instill discipline to their children through inflicting pain and do so in absence of resentment or rage. However, Swan opposes this principle and posits that doing so portrays corporal punishment as a rite (para. 25). The opinion that corporal punishment ought to be discouraged can be justified by its effects on childrens mental health. A study allude to by Niolon showed a relationship between corporal punishment and declined or dwindled mental health (para. 15). It is important to postulate that young children are at an age where growth and advancements especially mentally occurs. In this aspect, corporal punishment is viewed by the American Psychoanalytic Association as a risk factor hindering mental advancement (para. 6). The American Psychoanalytic Association is also in agreement that corporal punishment negatively affects the mental health of children and also the community in general (para. 6). Both the American Psychoanalytic Association (para. 6) and Niolon (para. 12; para. 13) concur that corporal punishment leads to increased incidences of criminal behavior, unfriendly or unsociable conduct, and violence or hostility among children. In relation to effects on mental effects, Niolon asserts that physical punishment as a means to correct bad conduct among children exacerbates the problem (para. 13). In most cases, parents result to violence when their children portray hostility of disobedience. Results from a study referred to by Niolon found out that employing the use of violence to counter hostility in children in fact elevates the likelihood of a child engaging in violent conduct for a second time by 50 percent (para. 12). Therefore, instead of correcting behavior in children, corporal punishment is more likely to worsen the problem and thus ought not to be encouraged. It is not infrequent to find parents using corporal punishment to shape the behaviors of their children, as mentioned earlier. Though corporal punishment has a lot of negative effects on the psychological status of children, it also has some benefits. Niolon elucidates that corporal punishment or physical punishment results to instantaneous conformity (para. 10). In other words, a child instantly obeys the rules set by their parents once corporal punishment is employed. Nevertheless, this instant benefit should not prevent parents from comprehending the ultimate impact of corporal punishment. Niolon ardently brings to our attention the fact that physical punishment reduces the likelihood of a child learning and assimilating moral tenets or principles (para. 11). Is it justifiable and moral to use a disciplining method that reduces the ability of a child to learn and assimilate societal values and tenets? Niolon is in opposition to such a practice and in effect asserts that the inability of a child to practice and apply moral or societal values propagates immoral behaviors (para. 11). The notion that physical forms of punishment to children such as spanking are of benefit have the potential to impact negatively on the society in general. According to Flynn, normalizing physical methods of punishment, as is the trend today, elevates the likelihood that the punished children will also use it as a form of disciplining their children when they grow up (52). This, as Flynn expounds, is a dangerous trend as it could spread within the society as a socially accepted practice that using corporal punishment is right (52). In doing so, a belief that the use of aggression and violent behavior as a means of correcting peoples behavior could encourage and promote criminal conducts. An article title Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children is of the same opinion that corporal punishment increases the likelihood of a child to engage in criminal activities in future (para. 7). Flynn also notes that corporal punishment elevates the chances of abuse. In this viewpoint, constantly employing physical punishment subsequently elevates the likelihood of cruelty, exploitation, and neglect of children (52). These adverse consequences warrants prohibition of corporal punishment as a means or method of disciplining children. Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children (para. 2), an article published in the weebly, and Nkechi and Obioma (21) agree that corporal punishment is an act of humiliation, shame, and disgrace. Corporal punishment in this perspective can be construed to mean that the act lowers the status and reputation of an individual. If such an act humiliates individuals, Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children questions why the same view point is not applied when it comes to disciplining children (para. 2). There are other methods outlined by the American Psychoanalytic Association that are considered as alternatives to physical punishment. For instance, the American Psychoanalytic Association notes that "Increasing the childs capacity to put words to feelings and actions result in increased tension regulation, self-awareness, and thoughtful decision making" (para. 16). This means that dialogue has a better chance of shaping a childs behavior than corporal punishment. Subsequently, being effective role models is imperative in shaping a childs behavior as he or she has an adult figure to look up to. Another alternative to corporal punishment explicated by the American Psychoanalytic Association is positive reinforcement (para. 19). Positive reinforcement relates to giving rewards for positive behavior. In so doing, a child will be motivated to act positively in order to get a reward. These alternative methods have a better chance of attaining lasting positive outcomes than physical punishment. Nkechi and Obioma consequently affirms that physical punishment or corporal punishment relays the wrong message to those affected (23). What young children learns from corporal punishment is that their parents are employing harsh techniques to discipline them because they abhor or detest their actions. Equally, a child may learn from corporal punishment that violence is the only way to resolve disagreements. In this standpoint, corporal punishment can therefore result to the children opting to harm or injure those who disagree with them or those harboring divergent opinions. Physical punishment is also directly linked to poor relationships between parents and their children. Niolon points out that most incidences of punishments take place in the evenings when the parent is spending quality time with his or her child (para. 14). Mistakes are inevitable during childhood and inflicting pain to a child while spending time together means that the child will be withdrawn for the rest of the time. There is also a risk that the child will conclude that all adults are hostile and hence prefer to stay away from them. The only way a parent can develop a healthy and open relationship with a child is through developing trust. When a child feels threatened by the presence of an adult, then a strained relationship will be developed. This is proof that shunning away from corporal punishment and adopting alternative ways of discipline children could promote the development of good relationships. Conclusion In conclusion, corporal punishment has a lot of disadvantages that prevail over its advantages and hence it should be discouraged. One of the benefit of corporal punishment as a method of disciplining children is that it results to instantaneous conformity in terms of obeying socially and legally permitted rules and regulations. This benefit is however short-term. The end results of corporal punishment or physical punishment include decreased mental or cognitive development, and could lead to injuries and even death. Other negative effects of corporal punishment include increased incidences of violent behavior, unfriendly actions, and reduced likelihood of a child learning and assimilating moral values and principles. Based on these adverse consequences, it is justifiable for parents to discourage and shun away from employing corporal punishment when disciplining their children. Works cited "Effects of Corporal Punishment on Children." EndCorporalPunishment. weebly. n.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. American Psychoanalytic Association. "Position Statement on Physical/Corporal Punishment." apsa. apsa. June. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. Flynn, Clifton P. "Normative Support for Corporal Punishment: Attitudes, Correlates, and Implications." Aggression and Violent Behavior 1.1 (1996): 47-55. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. Niolon, Richard. "Corporal Punishment in Children-What does it Accomplish." psychpage. Psychpage. 15 Dec. 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. Nkechi, Okpalaobi B, and Obioma Onyi-Ogelle H. "Corporal Punishment-A Global Trend Towards Childs Rights Protection in Nigeria." Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 1.5 (2012): 14-27. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. Swan, Rita. "Religious Attitudes on Corporal Punishment." Childrenshealthcare, Childrenshealthcare. n.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. Read More