In a recent NPR segment titled “Where Corporal Punishment Is Still Used In Schools, Its Roots Run Deep,” a shocking statistic was revealed. According to an investigation by Education Week, around 110,000 students faced physical punishment in schools during the 2013–2014 academic year. This is particularly prevalent in certain states like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, where thousands of students are paddled annually.
As a 34-year-old who grew up in Utah during the 1980s, I believed that paddling was a relic of the past. I was genuinely taken aback to discover that this practice is still legal and occurring today, even in high schools.
As a father of three, I can only imagine that many parents share my outdated assumption about school discipline. To illustrate, I remember reading about a child being paddled in a Mark Twain story during elementary school, which sparked a discussion about how such punishments were outdated.
Complicating matters, NPR notes that most corporal punishment is administered with parental consent. The report centers on Maplewood High School in North Carolina, where Principal Eric Thompson is known to paddle students exclusively with permission from their parents, which he usually obtains.
Consider this: students aged 15 to 18 are summoned to the principal’s office for various infractions—like the case of a sophomore whose phone rang in class. She was given the choice between paddling or in-school suspension. This scenario feels absurdly out of place in 2017, akin to being pulled over for driving a horse and buggy on a modern freeway. Nonetheless, this student opted for paddling, and her father supported the decision with, “Just paddle her because down here, we do it the old-school way.”
I’m not here to condemn this father or claim that what’s happening at this North Carolina high school is a throwback to the 1800s. However, it’s clear that most American schools have moved on from such practices. Contrary to some sensational claims, our society is not in chaos; children are not running wild.
Principal Thompson, however, believes that if more schools embraced corporal punishment, society would improve. This stance contradicts extensive scientific research linking corporal punishment to heightened dropout rates, increased depression, substance abuse, and future violence.
On a somewhat positive note, parents must opt-in for their children to be paddled. Personally, if a principal called me asking for permission to paddle my child, I would firmly refuse and consider reporting the incident or relocating. Unfortunately, for some families, particularly in rural Southern areas, those options may not be readily available. Parents in such situations must clearly communicate that they do not consent to any physical punishment.
In December, numerous organizations, including the National PTA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, signed a letter advocating for the elimination of corporal punishment, emphasizing its harmful effects. The letter states, “By eliminating the harmful practice of corporal punishment and implementing positive, evidence-based policies, local and state leaders can help students achieve access to a safe and high-quality education.” Like these organizations, I firmly believe that corporal punishment should be relegated to the past.
In summary, the continued use of corporal punishment in schools is a concerning practice that needs to end. Educators and parents alike should prioritize safe, effective disciplinary methods that foster a positive learning environment.