Use of Physical Punishment on Children - Essay Example

Analyzing Physical Punishment on Children (Author’s name) (Institutional Affiliation) Introduction The use of corporal punishment for children has proven a source of myriads of debates, views and controversies since time immemorial. While billions of people argue for a complete ban of corporal punishment, a good section of the world yet maintains that corporal punishment is a useful method of disciplining and brining up children. Corporal punishment has been a part of numerous cultures across the globe, and many believe that it is effective when applied appropriately (measured) and in specific circumstances (Lerner & Lamb, 2015). Basically, corporal punishment refers to the art of inflicting physical pain to a child as a method of punishment for wrongful behavior. Such physical punishment can be in the form of whipping, thrashing, canning and even beating. Physical punishments have been a feature of various schools around the world and in homes for decades and centuries past. Corporal punishment is normally used to prevent similar wrongful behavior by developing a fear of punishment in the individual, and also to exact retribution for deviant behavior (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013). State of Physical Punishment in Selected Countries For a long time, physical punishment has been deemed an appropriate tool for instilling proper behavior and discipline in children, both in school and at home. However, the practice has increasingly faced resistance especially from the second half of the 20th century. There are currently many countries of the world that have taken steps to completely ban physical punishment, while in others, corporal punishment remains legal, either partially or completely. In nations such as Singapore, for example, physical punishment is used only for boys and not on girls. Except for the Czech Republic and France, all European nations have banned physical punishment in schools (Ling & Catling, 2012). Nevertheless, corporal punishment is still used in several nations and schools across the world. In Australia, corporal punishment has not been completely banned. In the United States, corporal punishment is legal in at least 19 states (Wicks-Nelson, Israel, & Wicks-Nelson, 2014). Generally, studies reveal that physical punishment has both positive and negative influences on the recipient. In countries where corporal punishment has been completely banned, trends indicate an increase in deviant behavior and indiscipline in children. On the other hand, if improperly applied, corporal punishment portends more harm than good to the recipient, the giver, and the society. Consequently, it is important to have exceptions for use and measured severity for the use of corporal punishment in order to avoid the consequences of abuse and absence of physical punishment (Bee & Boyd, 2013). Arguments for Physical Punishment The proponents of physical punishment assert that student life and childhood are the proper times to teach children good behavior, discipline and an admirable way of life. The punished child may feel humiliated or pained when they are punished, but in the end, the child stands to benefit from the sound direction that is instilled right from childhood. The child is hence deterred from bad behavior because they fear this form of punishment (Myers, Abell & Sani, 2014). Furthermore, when a child sees another receiving punishment for poor behavior, they refrain from such acts for fear of similar punishment. Physical punishment provides one of the quickest and most effective ways of disciplining children who are not behaving accordingly (Baron and Branscombe, 2012). In the classroom setting, children who misbehave can be a bad distraction to the rest and may set a bad example for others, thus soiling the learning environment. Corporal punishment hence provides a swift and decisive way of dealing with the problem before it develops into a habit. Physical punishment, unlike other modern forms of punishment, is cost effective and saves the school and parents some resources. Punishments such as weekend or after-school detentions consume a lot of time for supervisions and require that school facilities be run after school hours (Berk, 2013). Corporal punishment is therefore more convenient. Physical punishment importantly instills into the child a sense of right and wrong. An important part of the behavior of a developing child stems from the comprehension of the difference of what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, when a student is punished for a behavior that is incorrect, they quickly understand that such behavior is wrong, thus helping mould their way of living as they grow up. As Gerrig (2012) noted, countless research studies ascertain that physical punishment is very instrumental in making children polite, respectful and obedient. In the absence of physical punishment, increase in wild and unruly behavior in children has been widespread. Physical punishment makes very stubborn and recalcitrant children to submit to their well-meaning parents and teachers (authority) which enables them to become law abiding and respectable citizens in the future. The immaturity of children makes it inevitable that they will often misbehave. When misbehavior is followed with physical punishment, the child quickly learns that such behavior is wrong and therefore leans/ adjusts towards expected/ acceptable behavior (Markovits, 2014). Corporal punishment ensures that the children are held to account for their actions, and that their behavior do not hinder the chances of other students and children around them. Therefore, when applied properly and with the right timing, physical punishment is very useful in developing children in a desirable fashion. Arguments against Corporal Punishment Conversely, several equally valid arguments have been presented against the use of physical punishment in schools and in homes. Firstly, corporal punishment can often be abused by teachers and non-relatives who dole out very extreme punishments on children even for petty reasons, thus abusing the provision. It is impossible to tell if the child deserved the physical punishment or if the parent or teacher was simply fed up or frustrated and thus took it out on the child (Wade, 2012). Also, such severe punishments can be very harmful and lead to serious injuries for the child. Moreover, when physical punishment is constant and severe, the child may become very fearful and consequently drop out of school or run away from home to lead much more desperate lifestyles (Brooks & Shaffer, 2012). In addition, corporal punishment can be counter-productive and may make children to become aggressive, rebellious and vengeful. The child should be raised in a free and friendly environment, both in school and at home so that they can freely ask questions and express their doubts and concerns. However, excessive use of physical punishment can make children hostile towards their parents and teachers, and even fight back. Moreover, physical punishment can emotionally and physically disfigure or scar a child for life (Stevenson & Kagan, 2012). The child may develop a long-term problem with authority and a strong disaffection for learning and schools. The self-esteem of the punished child as well as that of the punisher can be considerably diminished in the wake of corporal punishment, with severe psychological impacts ensuing. Furthermore, corporal punishment can easily land to the parent or teacher in trouble with the law, especially when the child acquires serious injuries from the punishment or if the child dies following the punishment that has been meted out (Myers, 2013). Apart from harming and wounding the child (emotionally, behaviorally, and physically), the corporal punishment can also thus harm the parent/ teacher emotionally or via conflicts with the law which may result in jailing. Conclusion According to statistics, child misbehavior is more pronounced in countries in which corporal punishment has been completely outlawed (Roberts, 2012). On the other hand, figures show better behavior and lower rates of crime, drug abuse, prostitution, disregard for authority, and so on, among the youth in nations in which physical punishment is used (partially or otherwise). Statistics on gang activity and violence among the youth are much lower for Singapore, for instance, where corporal punishment has not been completely banned, than in a majority of nations in which physical punishment has been completely banned. Even though several other factors such as poverty, unemployment, political instability, and so on, can contribute to restlessness among the youth, absence of corporal punishment in such nations is believed to be pivotal (Barkley & Benton, 2013). The disadvantages of corporal punishment cannot be ignored. However, despite the expert arguments against physical punishment, it is undeniable that punishing children has created more civilized youth and adults over the years. These are youth who do not direct foul language at adults, their peers, women, and in the presence of children. In the age of corporal punishment, it was nearly unheard of for children to assault adults and teachers, yet such has become commonplace in the liberal contemporary world. Nonetheless, the challenges associated with corporal punishment must be carefully looked into so that children are not abused and mistreated (Spiteri & Galea, 2012). Corporal punishment should only be used as a last resort where all other avenues of correction have proven fruitless. Such can other avenues can include withholding/ withdrawing (taking away privileges when a child misbehaves), using consequences (denying the child a meal if they refuse for help with simple house chores, for example), isolation, grounding, and so on. According to Woolfolk (2012), it is equally important to focus on a child’s self-esteem and successes in attempts to encourage sound behavior. References Barkley, R. A., & Benton, C. M. (2013).Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior. New York: The Guilford Press. Baron, R. A., & Branscombe, N. R. (2012). Social Psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. Bee, H. L., & Boyd, D. R. (2013). The Developing Child. New York: Pearson. Berk, L. E. (2013). Child Development. Boston: Pearson. Brooks, F. D., & Shaffer, L. F. (2012). Child Psychology. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co. Gerrig, R. J. (2012). Psychology and Life. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Pearson Australia. Lerner, R. M., & Lamb, M. E. (2015). Handbook of Child Psychology and Developmental Science. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Ling, J., & Catling, J. (2012).Cognitive Psychology. Harlow, England: Pearson Prentice Hall. Markovits, H. (2014). The Developmental Psychology of Reasoning and Decision-Making. London: Psychology Press. McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2013). Child Development and Education. Boston: Pearson. Myers, D. G. (2013). Psychology. New York, NY: Worth. Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2014). Social Psychology. London: McGraw Hill Education. Roberts, S. C. (2012). Applied Evolutionary Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Spiteri, Y., & Galea, E. M. (2012). Psychology of Neglect. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science . Stevenson, H. W., & Kagan, J. (2012). Child Psychology. Whitefish, MT: Literary Licensing. Wade, C. (2012). Psychology. Pearson Education Canada. Wicks-Nelson, R., Israel, A. C., & Wicks-Nelson, R. (2014). Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Woolfolk, A. (2012). Educational Psychology. Boston: Pearson. Read More

Arguments for Physical Punishment The proponents of physical punishment assert that student life and childhood are the proper times to teach children good behavior, discipline and an admirable way of life. The punished child may feel humiliated or pained when they are punished, but in the end, the child stands to benefit from the sound direction that is instilled right from childhood. The child is hence deterred from bad behavior because they fear this form of punishment (Myers, Abell & Sani, 2014).

Furthermore, when a child sees another receiving punishment for poor behavior, they refrain from such acts for fear of similar punishment. Physical punishment provides one of the quickest and most effective ways of disciplining children who are not behaving accordingly (Baron and Branscombe, 2012). In the classroom setting, children who misbehave can be a bad distraction to the rest and may set a bad example for others, thus soiling the learning environment. Corporal punishment hence provides a swift and decisive way of dealing with the problem before it develops into a habit.

Physical punishment, unlike other modern forms of punishment, is cost effective and saves the school and parents some resources. Punishments such as weekend or after-school detentions consume a lot of time for supervisions and require that school facilities be run after school hours (Berk, 2013). Corporal punishment is therefore more convenient. Physical punishment importantly instills into the child a sense of right and wrong. An important part of the behavior of a developing child stems from the comprehension of the difference of what is right and what is wrong.

Therefore, when a student is punished for a behavior that is incorrect, they quickly understand that such behavior is wrong, thus helping mould their way of living as they grow up. As Gerrig (2012) noted, countless research studies ascertain that physical punishment is very instrumental in making children polite, respectful and obedient. In the absence of physical punishment, increase in wild and unruly behavior in children has been widespread. Physical punishment makes very stubborn and recalcitrant children to submit to their well-meaning parents and teachers (authority) which enables them to become law abiding and respectable citizens in the future.

The immaturity of children makes it inevitable that they will often misbehave. When misbehavior is followed with physical punishment, the child quickly learns that such behavior is wrong and therefore leans/ adjusts towards expected/ acceptable behavior (Markovits, 2014). Corporal punishment ensures that the children are held to account for their actions, and that their behavior do not hinder the chances of other students and children around them. Therefore, when applied properly and with the right timing, physical punishment is very useful in developing children in a desirable fashion.

Arguments against Corporal Punishment Conversely, several equally valid arguments have been presented against the use of physical punishment in schools and in homes. Firstly, corporal punishment can often be abused by teachers and non-relatives who dole out very extreme punishments on children even for petty reasons, thus abusing the provision. It is impossible to tell if the child deserved the physical punishment or if the parent or teacher was simply fed up or frustrated and thus took it out on the child (Wade, 2012).

Also, such severe punishments can be very harmful and lead to serious injuries for the child. Moreover, when physical punishment is constant and severe, the child may become very fearful and consequently drop out of school or run away from home to lead much more desperate lifestyles (Brooks & Shaffer, 2012). In addition, corporal punishment can be counter-productive and may make children to become aggressive, rebellious and vengeful. The child should be raised in a free and friendly environment, both in school and at home so that they can freely ask questions and express their doubts and concerns.

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