Reflecting on my own childhood, I attended a small-town elementary school until I reached 10 years of age. I vividly recall instances when some students would get into trouble and be sent to the principal’s office, which was considered the ultimate punishment. I also remember the anxious questions from classmates upon their return, asking things like, “Did you get paddled?” or “How many hits did you take?” Even back then, it felt unjust, and as a parent now, I find it even more unsettling. My youngest son is about to turn 8—the same age as those students who faced corporal punishment in my school. The thought of a school official striking my son is unfathomable to me, especially since we don’t practice any form of spanking at home. Growing up without physical punishment, I find the idea of hitting a child not only bizarre but outright wrong.
Living in a state where corporal punishment is banned, I mistakenly believed that this barbaric practice was largely a thing of the past. Unfortunately, reality tells a different story. A total of 22 states in the U.S. still permit corporal punishment in schools, with 15 states explicitly allowing it and seven lacking any prohibitive regulations.
Moreover, it’s not merely theoretical; according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection, 166,807 students were physically punished during the 2011–12 academic year alone. The National Association of School Psychologists defines corporal punishment as “the intentional infliction of pain or discomfort upon a student to correct or punish behavior.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics has long advocated for the abolition of corporal punishment, citing that such practices can negatively impact a student’s self-esteem and academic performance, potentially leading to more disruptive and violent behaviors. Just like the ineffective nature of parental spanking, it’s hard to believe that physical punishment in schools provides any real benefits. I personally didn’t behave in school out of fear of being hit; rather, I respected my teachers and understood the importance of good behavior.
Children lacking proper behavioral guidance at home need to learn it in school, but inflicting pain is certainly not the answer. Studies indicate that minorities are disproportionately affected by corporal punishment. According to the Brookings Institution, Black children are twice as likely to receive physical punishment compared to their white peers. This discrepancy is exacerbated in states with higher populations of Black residents, which account for 80% of all corporal punishment incidents. Additionally, students with disabilities face a higher likelihood of receiving such punishment, as noted in a report by the ACLU.
Is this really the approach we want to take? U.S. Education Secretary Mark Roberts has recently urged all states to eliminate corporal punishment, emphasizing that what is permissible in schools would be deemed criminal assault if applied to adults in the same areas. Whether the 22 states still permitting corporal punishment will heed this call remains to be seen.
Schools should serve as safe, nurturing environments where children can learn essential academic, social, and behavioral skills. Resorting to violence as a form of discipline is neither appropriate nor effective. We have numerous other strategies at our disposal, and it’s time to embrace them. As Roberts stated, “This practice has no place in the public schools of a modern nation committed to advancing civil and human rights.”
It’s high time we retire the paddles and adopt progressive disciplinary practices that reflect 21st-century values.
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In summary, the time has come to end corporal punishment in schools. It has no place in a modern educational system, and we must explore better alternatives for addressing behavior issues.