My reasons for believing that corporal punishment may eventually return are based upon an examination of educational trends. Two principal trends are of particular relevance: firstly, there is a growing demand among parents to be actively involved in decisions regarding their children’s education. Secondly, there is an increasing recognition within the educational community that education must be differentiated to address individual needs. A variety of methods is required in all areas of education to accommodate the diversity of children.
Attitudes evolve over time. The movement for abolition reached its zenith as more child psychologists and paediatricians condemned physical punishment. Numerous books and articles were published asserting that corporal punishment was universally harmful and ineffective. However, this attitude has shifted. Recent publications are less absolute and more measured in their opinions. Most paediatricians and child psychologists now accept that the occasional use of corporal punishment is unlikely to cause long-term harm and, in certain cases, may be effective. The body of published evidence supporting this position is likely to grow, not necessarily because it is entirely accurate, but because publishers and editors are now more willing to consider articles in favour of physical punishment, including papers previously withheld from publication in the 1980s.
There is also a prevailing public perception that juvenile delinquency and behavioural problems in schools are increasing. Whether or not this is objectively true, it is a widely held view and one that is likely to persist. At some point, given human nature, serious efforts to restore corporal punishment as a means of addressing these perceived problems will arise. Coupled with the increasing recognition that parents, rather than the state, should have the primary say in their children’s upbringing, and the educational community’s acknowledgement of the need for a range of disciplinary methods, it is reasonable to predict that corporal punishment will eventually return as an option in most private schools. The situation in state-run schools is less certain, though not impossible.
I am aware that international bodies and courts complicate the matter beyond the mere alteration of national laws. However, over time, their composition will also change, and as the published evidence on corporal punishment becomes more nuanced, this will have an impact as well.
These are, of course, personal views.
Now, to address your hypothetical questions.
“In what circumstances should it be used? Only for serious offences or for minor misdemeanours?”
It is my personal opinion that corporal punishment should be considered a medium-level sanction—not one to be used for minor infractions, but I have never supported the notion that it should be reserved solely as a last resort. In my view, describing it as a last resort and using it as such was a defensive measure by some to deflect criticism, but ultimately it provided further argument to abolitionists, who could then claim that if it was so severe as to be used only as a last resort, that proved its severity.
I believe corporal punishment should be an option in cases of deliberate disobedience—where there is clear evidence of premeditation and a conscious decision to break the rules.
I also believe it should be an option in cases where a pattern of similar behaviour has developed and other methods have proven ineffective. This may include relatively minor matters, such as failure to complete homework, but only where a pattern exists and lesser sanctions have been attempted first.
Please note—in both cases, I have stated it “should be an option,” not that it necessarily should be used. There is much more to consider in determining who should receive corporal punishment than the nature of the offence alone. The personality of the child must be considered; there are some children who should not receive corporal punishment under any circumstances (though I believe this is a small group). For others, it should indeed be a last resort. There are still others for whom it will have no positive effect, and in such cases, its use is pointless. Teachers must have sufficient understanding of their pupils to make such judgements, which can be a challenging task.
The preceding three paragraphs describe my ideal scenario. However, I am willing to accept certain compromises. If only the following were implemented, I would be reasonably satisfied.
Bullying—It is my firm belief that corporal punishment should be an option when addressing bullying. Not the only option, nor the first in most cases, but an option nonetheless. My school has been highly successful in addressing bullying and has a very low rate of victimisation. This has been achieved through a systematic programme including counselling, peer mediation, teacher-aided mediation, buddy systems, and self-esteem counselling for both victim and perpetrator. These measures are effective in many cases. However, for some bullies, only a sufficiently onerous penalty will deter their behaviour. Without the option to administer corporal punishment, I would likely be compelled to expel several pupils each year, as my duty to protect victims would require their removal if other measures failed. Over the past twenty years, I have seen only two expulsions for bullying. Furthermore, the use of corporal punishment for bullying has a positive effect on most victims, as they see that genuine efforts are being made to protect them. For this reason, even when other methods are successful, I sometimes administer a relatively mild punishment to a bully, as it can reassure the victim and, in some cases, help the perpetrator feel they have atoned for their actions.
Therefore, I believe corporal punishment should be used fairly broadly, though I would be content with more limited application.
“Who should be permitted to administer punishment? Only the headmaster?”
Ideally, in my opinion, most teachers should be permitted to administer corporal punishment, except those who are inexperienced or have demonstrated they cannot be trusted with such responsibility.
Realistically, I have no objection to restricting this authority to a smaller group, depending on the size and organisational structure of the school—perhaps the principal, their deputies, or year-level coordinators, for example. The frequency of use should also be considered.
Ideally, there should be enough authorised individuals so that no one person is required to administer punishment too frequently. I personally administer corporal punishment to at least two boys most weeks, and I would not wish to do more than that. Excessive frequency risks fostering undesirable attitudes among staff. It is not a pleasant task, nor should it be, and there is a limit to how much any teacher should be expected to undertake.
“Should only a person of the same sex as the child administer punishment?”
This is a complex issue. Personally, I believe that male teachers should not administer corporal punishment to girls, though this is based on my own experiences and feelings and may not be universally applicable. I have no objection to female teachers administering punishment to boys; indeed, in an all-boys school, it would be unjust to deny female staff the same authority as their male colleagues. Thus, it is a dilemma.
In an ideal world, the decision would rest with the teacher, who should determine whether it is appropriate to administer punishment to a child of the opposite sex. Those who feel it is inappropriate should be able to delegate the responsibility. Teachers should be trusted to act in the best interests of their pupils.
In reality, in a co-educational environment, it is likely necessary to restrict corporal punishment to teachers of the same sex as the pupil. Unfortunately, not all teachers can be trusted to self-regulate, and if men are restricted from punishing girls, fairness demands that women be restricted from punishing boys. In single-sex schools, my opinion differs; one cannot restrict one group of teachers from administering punishment that another group is permitted to administer. In such cases, either the authority is restricted to a small group (which may be all of one gender), or teachers are trusted to act appropriately.
I should also clarify that I am referring to secondary-age pupils. In primary schools, I believe class teachers should be permitted to administer punishment to any child in their class, regardless of gender.
“Should a child ever be punished on the buttocks?”
In my opinion, always—it is the safest location.
I do not approve of administering corporal punishment to the hands. While the risks are low, they must be minimised as much as possible.
“Or, in exceptional circumstances, on the bare buttocks?”
In the current educational climate, certainly not. The risks involved are too great. Should attitudes change significantly, this may be reconsidered, but substantial change would be required.
“Should only boys be punished?”
No. Both boys and girls are capable of committing the same offences and should expect to receive the same penalties. As previously stated, individual circumstances must be considered, and it is possible that, upon such consideration, girls may be physically punished less frequently. However, this should be determined by personality and other relevant factors, not by gender.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I hope I do not appear insular, but since our nation has become part of Europe, it seems we are no longer in control of our own destiny and have wholly adopted European values. I see little realistic prospect of change, so it remains a distant hope.
I would like to see women entrusted with all corporal punishment in junior schools, as in my experience, they handle such matters with greater care.
My reasons for believing that corporal punishment may eventually return are based upon an examination of educational trends. Two principal trends are of particular relevance: firstly, there is a growing demand among parents to be actively involved in decisions regarding their children’s education. Secondly, there is an increasing recognition within the educational community that education must be differentiated to address individual needs. A variety of methods is required in all areas of education to accommodate the diversity of children.
Attitudes evolve over time. The movement for abolition reached its zenith as more child psychologists and paediatricians condemned physical punishment. Numerous books and articles were published asserting that corporal punishment was universally harmful and ineffective. However, this attitude has shifted. Recent publications are less absolute and more measured in their opinions. Most paediatricians and child psychologists now accept that the occasional use of corporal punishment is unlikely to cause long-term harm and, in certain cases, may be effective. The body of published evidence supporting this position is likely to grow, not necessarily because it is entirely accurate, but because publishers and editors are now more willing to consider articles in favour of physical punishment, including papers previously withheld from publication in the 1980s.
There is also a prevailing public perception that juvenile delinquency and behavioural problems in schools are increasing. Whether or not this is objectively true, it is a widely held view and one that is likely to persist. At some point, given human nature, serious efforts to restore corporal punishment as a means of addressing these perceived problems will arise. Coupled with the increasing recognition that parents, rather than the state, should have the primary say in their children’s upbringing, and the educational community’s acknowledgement of the need for a range of disciplinary methods, it is reasonable to predict that corporal punishment will eventually return as an option in most private schools. The situation in state-run schools is less certain, though not impossible.
I am aware that international bodies and courts complicate the matter beyond the mere alteration of national laws. However, over time, their composition will also change, and as the published evidence on corporal punishment becomes more nuanced, this will have an impact as well.
These are, of course, personal views.
Now, to address your hypothetical questions.
“In what circumstances should it be used? Only for serious offences or for minor misdemeanours?”
It is my personal opinion that corporal punishment should be considered a medium-level sanction—not one to be used for minor infractions, but I have never supported the notion that it should be reserved solely as a last resort. In my view, describing it as a last resort and using it as such was a defensive measure by some to deflect criticism, but ultimately it provided further argument to abolitionists, who could then claim that if it was so severe as to be used only as a last resort, that proved its severity.
I believe corporal punishment should be an option in cases of deliberate disobedience—where there is clear evidence of premeditation and a conscious decision to break the rules.
I also believe it should be an option in cases where a pattern of similar behaviour has developed and other methods have proven ineffective. This may include relatively minor matters, such as failure to complete homework, but only where a pattern exists and lesser sanctions have been attempted first.
Please note—in both cases, I have stated it “should be an option,” not that it necessarily should be used. There is much more to consider in determining who should receive corporal punishment than the nature of the offence alone. The personality of the child must be considered; there are some children who should not receive corporal punishment under any circumstances (though I believe this is a small group). For others, it should indeed be a last resort. There are still others for whom it will have no positive effect, and in such cases, its use is pointless. Teachers must have sufficient understanding of their pupils to make such judgements, which can be a challenging task.
The preceding three paragraphs describe my ideal scenario. However, I am willing to accept certain compromises. If only the following were implemented, I would be reasonably satisfied.
Bullying—It is my firm belief that corporal punishment should be an option when addressing bullying. Not the only option, nor the first in most cases, but an option nonetheless. My school has been highly successful in addressing bullying and has a very low rate of victimisation. This has been achieved through a systematic programme including counselling, peer mediation, teacher-aided mediation, buddy systems, and self-esteem counselling for both victim and perpetrator. These measures are effective in many cases. However, for some bullies, only a sufficiently onerous penalty will deter their behaviour. Without the option to administer corporal punishment, I would likely be compelled to expel several pupils each year, as my duty to protect victims would require their removal if other measures failed. Over the past twenty years, I have seen only two expulsions for bullying. Furthermore, the use of corporal punishment for bullying has a positive effect on most victims, as they see that genuine efforts are being made to protect them. For this reason, even when other methods are successful, I sometimes administer a relatively mild punishment to a bully, as it can reassure the victim and, in some cases, help the perpetrator feel they have atoned for their actions.
Therefore, I believe corporal punishment should be used fairly broadly, though I would be content with more limited application.
“Who should be permitted to administer punishment? Only the headmaster?”
Ideally, in my opinion, most teachers should be permitted to administer corporal punishment, except those who are inexperienced or have demonstrated they cannot be trusted with such responsibility.
Realistically, I have no objection to restricting this authority to a smaller group, depending on the size and organisational structure of the school—perhaps the principal, their deputies, or year-level coordinators, for example. The frequency of use should also be considered.
Ideally, there should be enough authorised individuals so that no one person is required to administer punishment too frequently. I personally administer corporal punishment to at least two boys most weeks, and I would not wish to do more than that. Excessive frequency risks fostering undesirable attitudes among staff. It is not a pleasant task, nor should it be, and there is a limit to how much any teacher should be expected to undertake.
“Should only a person of the same sex as the child administer punishment?”
This is a complex issue. Personally, I believe that male teachers should not administer corporal punishment to girls, though this is based on my own experiences and feelings and may not be universally applicable. I have no objection to female teachers administering punishment to boys; indeed, in an all-boys school, it would be unjust to deny female staff the same authority as their male colleagues. Thus, it is a dilemma.
In an ideal world, the decision would rest with the teacher, who should determine whether it is appropriate to administer punishment to a child of the opposite sex. Those who feel it is inappropriate should be able to delegate the responsibility. Teachers should be trusted to act in the best interests of their pupils.
In reality, in a co-educational environment, it is likely necessary to restrict corporal punishment to teachers of the same sex as the pupil. Unfortunately, not all teachers can be trusted to self-regulate, and if men are restricted from punishing girls, fairness demands that women be restricted from punishing boys. In single-sex schools, my opinion differs; one cannot restrict one group of teachers from administering punishment that another group is permitted to administer. In such cases, either the authority is restricted to a small group (which may be all of one gender), or teachers are trusted to act appropriately.
I should also clarify that I am referring to secondary-age pupils. In primary schools, I believe class teachers should be permitted to administer punishment to any child in their class, regardless of gender.
“Should a child ever be punished on the buttocks?”
In my opinion, always—it is the safest location.
I do not approve of administering corporal punishment to the hands. While the risks are low, they must be minimised as much as possible.
“Or, in exceptional circumstances, on the bare buttocks?”
In the current educational climate, certainly not. The risks involved are too great. Should attitudes change significantly, this may be reconsidered, but substantial change would be required.
“Should only boys be punished?”
No. Both boys and girls are capable of committing the same offences and should expect to receive the same penalties. As previously stated, individual circumstances must be considered, and it is possible that, upon such consideration, girls may be physically punished less frequently. However, this should be determined by personality and other relevant factors, not by gender.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I hope I do not appear insular, but since our nation has become part of Europe, it seems we are no longer in control of our own destiny and have wholly adopted European values. I see little realistic prospect of change, so it remains a distant hope.
I would like to see women entrusted with all corporal punishment in junior schools, as in my experience, they handle such matters with greater care.
