About eight years ago, Tessa Davis received a call from her son’s school outside Little Rock, Arkansas. Her son, identified as C, had reportedly grabbed a girl’s jacket and twisted it, possibly attempting to choke her. Given his prior misbehavior, the school presented Davis with two choices: suspend C for three days or allow the school administrator to paddle him. Davis and her husband, both familiar with corporal punishment from their own childhoods, chose the latter. They soon regretted the decision as C became frightened of returning to school. This incident exacerbated his struggle with attending school, especially in that particular building.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry defines corporal punishment as administering pain or discomfort in response to a child’s actions. Psychologists widely agree that such punishment can harm children. In the U.S., no federal laws ban corporal punishment in public schools, leaving states and local districts to decide its legality. Currently, 15 states allow the practice, though many localities prohibit it. The U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) reported nearly 32,000 instances of corporal punishment in the 2021-2022 school year. In C’s home state of Arkansas, rates are among the highest nationwide.
Morgan Craven, a policy expert with the Intercultural Development Research Association, advocates against corporal punishment in schools. She explains that, in some Southern communities, corporal punishment aligns with faith-based and cultural norms. Yet, attitudes are shifting, with some communities pushing back against physical discipline. Tessa Davis and her husband have since abandoned corporal punishment at home and advocate against its use in schools. C, now 13, enjoys dancing and has learned to manage his emotions better under non-physical disciplinary measures.
Corporal Punishment Data and Academic Analysis
The latest data from the CRDC outlines trends in corporal punishment. While outdated, it indicates that boys were more likely to face corporal punishment than girls. Disproportionately high rates were noted among white, Black, and Native American boys based on their enrollment levels. A 2021 study in Social Problems explored the link between a county’s history of lynchings and current corporal punishment practices, finding a correlation, especially for Black students.
Negative Effects of Corporal Punishment
According to the American Psychological Association, corporal punishment can lower self-esteem and result in chronic problems like anxiety, depression, and aggression. Child psychologist Joan Durrant has conducted extensive research on this topic. She notes that corporal punishment encourages dishonesty and suggests that children exposed to it may resort to violence as a conflict resolution method. Studies have shown links between corporal punishment and future intimate partner violence, both as victims and perpetrators.
Divergent Views on Corporal Punishment
Psychologist Randy Randleman, based in Oklahoma, supports retaining corporal punishment as an option for schools, viewing it as effective for a minority of children. He believes that in some cases, the fear of paddling can deter misbehavior. Although he considers it a last resort, Randleman stresses the importance of evaluating each child’s situation before opting for such measures. He shares that, as a child, losing privileges like basketball practice was more effective than spankings for him.
Corporal Punishment Practices in Warner Public Schools
In Warner Public Schools, 70 miles southeast of Tulsa, Superintendent David Vinson believes in each district’s right to set its own rules on corporal punishment. The district rarely employs it, but Vinson argues the threat of paddling can prevent misconduct. Only two high school students have been paddled in the last eight years, and it was by parental request. Corporal punishment mostly occurs at the elementary level, with strict procedures in place. Parents must authorize it, and principals ensure communication with parents and students beforehand. Principal Alan Gordon, who oversees the elementary school, explains his cautious approach and believes responsible discipline can benefit children. He supports parental and school rights in allowing corporal punishment, despite widespread criticism and research against it.