I attended elementary school in a quaint little town until I turned 10. I vividly recall instances when kids got into trouble for being rowdy and were sent to the principal’s office, which was considered the ultimate punishment. The burning questions from my peers upon their return were often, “Did you get paddled?” or “How many whacks did you take?” Even as a child, I sensed something was off about this, and now, as a parent, it feels even more unsettling. My youngest son is about to turn 8—just the same age as those poor kids who faced paddling back in my school days. The thought of a school administrator striking my child with a wooden paddle is unimaginable. We don’t even spank at home! I wasn’t raised in a household that believed in spanking, so the idea of hitting a child seems bizarre. But to do it in a school setting? Absolutely not.
Living in a state where corporal punishment is illegal, I assumed that this practice was a thing of the past everywhere; a misguided approach that no one would dare to endorse anymore. But, surprise! Twenty-two states still permit corporal punishment in schools. Fifteen of those explicitly allow it, while seven have no rules against it.
And in case you think it’s a rare occurrence, brace yourself: according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection, over 166,000 students faced physical punishment in the 2011–2012 school year alone. The National Association of School Psychologists defines corporal punishment as “the intentional infliction of pain or discomfort and/or the use of physical force upon a student with the intention of causing the student to experience bodily pain so as to correct or punish the student’s behavior.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics has long advocated for the complete abolishment of corporal punishment, citing that it can negatively impact a child’s self-esteem and academic performance, and even lead to more disruptive behaviors. And really, does it accomplish anything? I can’t see how it would be any more effective than parental spanking, which has also been shown to be an ineffective disciplinary method. I didn’t behave in school simply because I feared a paddle; I did so out of respect for my teachers and understanding of right and wrong.
Children who might not learn proper behavior at home shouldn’t receive “correction” through violence at school. Studies indicate that minorities are disproportionately affected by corporal punishment. For instance, according to the Brookings Institution, Black children are twice as likely to be physically punished as their white counterparts. This disparity is further exacerbated in states where corporal punishment is most prevalent—Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma—where Black children face heightened risks. To add insult to injury, students with disabilities are also more likely to be subjected to physical discipline, as highlighted by a report from the ACLU.
Honestly, who thinks this is a good idea? U.S. Education Secretary Alex Morgan has recently called for all states to ban corporal punishment, pointing out the hypocrisy that actions permissible against children in schools would be deemed criminal assault if directed at adults in the community. We’ll see if the 22 states still allowing this outdated practice take heed.
Schools should be safe havens for all students, environments conducive to learning both academically and socially. When behavior issues arise, resorting to violence is neither appropriate nor effective. We have far better ways to address such challenges. As Morgan stated in his letter, “This practice has no place in the public schools of a modern nation that plays such an essential role in the advancement and protection of civil and human rights.”
It’s high time we retire the paddles, abandon violence against children, and bring disciplinary practices into the 21st century.
In summary, corporal punishment in schools is an outdated and harmful practice that disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including minorities and students with disabilities. It’s time for all states to follow the lead of those that have abolished it, ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for every child.