Legalization Of Corporal Punishment In The United States

Corporal punishment is a very controversial topic that is discussed by people all around the world. Corporal punishment can be defined as a painful, intentionally inflicted (typically, by striking a child) physical penalty, administered by a person in authority for disciplinary purposes. Corporal punishment can occur anywhere, and whippings, beatings, and flogging are specific forms of corporal punishment (Cohen, 1984). Sweden became the first country to ban corporal punishment in 1979. In the United States, corporal punishment of children in schools by their teachers or any authority figure is legal in about 19 of the states, and "reasonable" corporal punishment of children in the home by their parents or guardians is legal in every state

The United States is at odds with the 39 countries that have banned corporal punishment. Even though there are 39 countries tat have banned corporal punishment across the globe, it's estimated that 60 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 14 still experience corporal punishment regularly from caregivers. A UNICEF report released earlier this month echoed the NIH study that found people with less education and wealth were more likely to support it as a method of discipline. (associated press) In 19 states, it's still legal for personnel in schools to practice "paddling." An estimated total of 223,190 students were subjected to it in the 2005-2006 school year, according to the most recent data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. (Associated press)Paddling is when the school personnel would take a wooden paddle that is often 15 inches long and strike a student three or more times on the buttocks or upper thighs. In some cases they have used baseball bats that are shaved down, their bare hands, or rulers that are taped

The study assessed parental discipline in the United States. The study found that 55% of children experienced physical discipline including being “spanked” on the buttocks, hit with an object and slapped on the face. Only one per cent of children experienced harsh physical discipline like being burnt, beaten up, kicked and choked. About 26% of the children experienced harsh psychological discipline such as being called names, being cursed and being threatened with abandonment. A more moderate discipline was experienced by 72% of children including being yelled or screamed at. Non-violent discipline, including explaining why a behavior was wrong and telling a child to stop was experienced by 92% of the