A switch, a paddle, a belt, an open hand. To some parents, these may be methods of teaching. But to a child, these could be symbols of fear. Corporal punishment is discipline intended to cause pain, commonly towards a child. Some parents believe that it can be used ethically, as a last resort, or ‘coming from a place of love’. But others, such as the American Psychological Association (APA), strongly oppose the use of corporal punishment and recommend other parenting techniques.(1) Over the past few decades, and as more research has been done to show that there are many negative long term effects, many parents no longer use physical punishment. Those that are left are firmly entrenched in the idea that it is safe and effective.
Despite
…show more content…
A child may not understand talking out their issues, or other forms of punishment such as a time-out. But a child who is immediate to associate pain with an undesired behavior ideally will not repeat it. The rhetoric of a parent who uses this type of punishment is typically that the mild pain a child may endure will save them from the worse pain that poor behavior may bring. Corporal punishment has been proven to temporarily stop ‘bad’ behavior, but at what cost to the child, and their relationships with others, especially their …show more content…
I have seen the damage it can cause, and I have never seen an instance where it was used humanely and effectively. Though some may claim there is a line between abuse and corporal punishment, they are effectively the same. Both cause mental health issues, both can cause further violence, and neither should be seen as acceptable to direct to a child. It is my firm belief that a child should never have to be physically afraid of or traumatized by their parent as a result of corporal punishment. In conclusion, adults ought to consider the effects of corporal punishment before they employ its