Corporal punishment
Corporal punishment has been a part of family life for thousands of years, taking its place in societies all over the world. From wood switches to thick leather belts, all sorts of tools have been used to discipline naughty children. It is a very controversial topic that is being discussed amongst educators across the world. Is this form of punishment justifiable or is it counterproductive for children’s growing up?
A physical form of punishment might not only produce physical but also mental pain. It can lower the childrens’ self esteem or might even contribute to violent behaviour. Furthermore, the child will be afraid that the adult will hurt it again. In some cases, corporal punishment psychologically affects one’s mind on for the whole life. As a result, parents should try to raise up their children without violence to avoid the risk of damaging them mentally. Further fear of pain has no place in the process of growing up. If you are carefully trying to show pupils how to behave right you will not need to hurt them.
Mostly corporal punishment is used because it is quick and in most cases effective for a moment. The child behaves bad and gets a quick slap in the face. But as quick as the pain disappears, the child will have forgotten why it had been punished. In addition, using corporal punishment shows a lack of moral strength. Hence, parents should try to explain to their children what they have done wrong in an extensive and also empathetic way.
Some people argue that parents should have the right to decide own their own how to bring up their children. It has been suggested that parents should be allowed to select the type of education that they consider appropriate for their children. Unfortunately, some parents don’t know another way to punish their children than beating them. They have been brought up with violence during their own childhood. Often, the family has conformed to a pattern in which the line of family violence started generations ago. It’s hard for the parents to get out of this vicious circle.
On the whole, I think parents should use a non-physical way of punishment to educate their children. There are many more effective ways to treat bad behaviour than by physical punishment and I think that we should look at these ways more carefully and consider them as an alternative to corporal punishment.
lg Maria