Recently, NPR aired a segment titled “Where Corporal Punishment Is Still Used In Schools, Its Roots Run Deep,” revealing a shocking statistic. A report by Education Week indicated that during the 2013-2014 school year, approximately 110,000 students faced physical punishment across the country. This practice is particularly prevalent in certain states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, where thousands of students are paddled each year.
As a 34-year-old, I grew up in Utah during the ‘80s, a largely conservative area, under the impression that paddling had become a relic of the past. I was caught completely off guard while listening to this segment during my commute, realizing that corporal punishment is still legal and practiced in some schools today.
To make matters worse, I discovered that this outdated punishment is not limited to elementary schools; it extends into high schools as well. As a father of three, I can only imagine how many other parents share my previous misconceptions about this issue. To put this into perspective for those unfamiliar with the Southern U.S., I remember reading a story in elementary school about a child who was paddled, sparking a discussion about how such practices had mostly disappeared.
Interestingly, NPR pointed out that most corporal punishment occurs with parental consent. The focus of the story was on Ridgewood High School in North Carolina, where Principal Jake Thompson is the only high school principal in the state who still administers corporal punishment, always with parental approval.
Consider this: teenagers aged 15 to 18 are taken to the principal’s office for offenses such as having their cell phones go off in class. The example given was of a sophomore who faced a choice between being paddled or serving in-school suspension. It feels absurd that in 2023, a student might opt for paddling as a form of discipline. One girl’s father responded to the principal’s call by saying, “Just paddle her because around here, we do it the old-school way.”
While I don’t want to label this father as a bad parent or suggest that Ridgewood High School resembles an antiquated institution, it’s clear that the majority of American schools have moved beyond such practices. Contrary to what some may argue, our nation is not descending into chaos where students run wild like in “Lord of the Flies.”
Principal Thompson, however, believes that if more schools adopted corporal punishment, society would improve. This viewpoint stands in stark contrast to substantial research indicating that corporal punishment correlates with higher dropout rates, increased mental health issues, and a rise in violent behavior later in life.
On a somewhat positive note, paddling requires parental consent. If a principal approached me with such a request regarding my child, my immediate response would be a firm “No.” I would consider taking further action, such as filing a complaint or relocating to a different school district. Unfortunately, many parents in rural Southern communities may not have that luxury, so it’s vital to communicate clearly that no one has permission to physically discipline your child.
In December, numerous organizations, including the National PTA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, signed a letter advocating for the end of corporal punishment. Their message emphasized that eliminating such harmful practices and implementing positive, evidence-based approaches could pave the way for a safer and higher-quality educational experience. Like those who endorsed this letter, I believe corporal punishment belongs in the past.
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In summary, corporal punishment in schools is an outdated practice that needs to be abolished. With increasing awareness and advocacy against it, we can hope for a future where educational institutions prioritize safety and positive discipline methods.