Most parents recognize that even in the most well-respected and established education institutions, their children will inevitably misbehave, which will subject them to punishment in accordance to the school’s disciplinary guidelines.

In fact, in most instances, parents, teachers and administrative professionals understand and agree that negative reinforcement is sometimes deemed necessary when disciplining a disruptive pupil. Most, however, envision a trip to the principal’s office or a missed after school activity an appropriate punishment.

One thing they probably don’t envision is a child being hit with a belt or wooden paddle as an appropriate punishment for misbehavior.

Americans have become outraged to find out that violence in schools is not being discouraged by the government, and that in 20 states across America, it is currently legal for teachers to hit their students.

Legal corporal punishment in schools, which allows the beatings for disciplinary reasons using a belt, strap or paddle, has parents surprised, especially after hearing the statistic that over 200,000 children were hit in school in 2007.

At a time when anti-bullying campaigns have swept the nation due to the influx of teen suicide as a result of peer-to-peer bullying, it is shocking that while physical abuse is illegal in prisons and medical institutions, it is legal in our children’s schools.

Are you surprised schools can use physical discipline? Do you agree with the 20 states who allow it?

Posted on October 13th, 2010 by Alicia

Tags: Abuse, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Bullying, Colorado, Corporal Punishment, Florida, Georgia, indiana, kansas, Kentucky, louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, ohio, Oklahoma, schools, teachers, Tennessee, Texas, Violence

Posted in News | 24 Comments »