Corporal Punishment in Schools

1686 Words4 Pages

One may ask the origin of corporal punishment and the introduction of this form of discipline into schools. According to Donnelly & Straus (2005), in more Anglo Saxon spaces, presumably the early settlers brought their own existing practices with them from Europe. So, this suggests that civilization in the western hemisphere was not physically punishing their children? Mitchell (2008) argues that this form of punishment stems from the enslavement and mistreatment of African Americans in the United States. This notion infers that African Americans developed a more aggressive discipline method due to the brutal acts of slave masters? Newell (1972) states that The British Journal of Educational Studies provides evidence of punishment to children as early as 1669 under The Children’s Petition, one that calls for grievance to youth that lies under the severities of the school-discipline of this nation. Yet, there is clear and textual evidence that the bible ignites such discipline through its chapters and verses. However, Rawson (1991) alludes to the ancient roman time, where it was found that this form was not only practiced at home, but also performed in schools. The uncertainty in defining where corporal punishment originated is indicative to the advocate’s inability to outline their rationality in keeping it. No one group developed this method, as all have used it, however, there is a group of people who stands by corporal punishment. Ellison (1993) Conservative Protestants considers the bible to be the ultimate source of authority and guidance, providing reliable, empirically verifiable and sufficient truths to guide the conduct of all human affairs, including family organization and parenting. The bible being a proponent... ... middle of paper ... ...ern no trend towards the elimination of corporal punishment by making it so costly (Hyman and Wise, 1979, p. 184). After a losing battle Ingraham faced, both in the U.S. and State Supreme Court, Principal Wright and his colleagues around the country were able to continue in practicing physical discipline, even with the new added uncertainty surrounding it. This case increased the awareness of corporal punishment in Florida and around the country, especially extreme where this level of discipline was displayed in schools. As seen in this trial, the collaborative effort by the justice departments and their want to stay out of state-based issues, sided with the Florida law and educational system because they believed that the actions toward Ingraham and Andrews were justifiable on the basis that they were in school and because educators performed the punishment.

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