Corporal punishment is legal in 22 states. Would you support its use at your child's school?

States with Corporal Punishment in School

Is spanking a child for breaking school rules a useful or destructive practice? Parents and educators are sharply divided. Twenty-one states allow some form of corporal punishment while twenty-nine have banned the practice.

Would you support a policy allowing physical punishment in your school?

Thirty years ago, I was a student at Henry Clay Junior High School in Los Angeles, and I have vivid memories of being told to bend over and grab my ankles while a teacher administered three blows with a paddle. When I think back I can't remember why I was punished and the only thing it taught me was to loathe that teacher.

If you live in a state where the practice is allowed, how is it working? Do you want to see the practice continue? If you live in a state where such punishment is banned, would you support its re-introduction into the classroom?

Where the states stand on corporal punishment:

Alabama--Legal

Alaska--Illegal

Arizona--Legal

Arkansas--Legal

California--Illegal

Colorado--Legal

Connecticut--Illegal

Delaware--Illegal

District of Columbia--Illegal

Florida--Legal

Georgia--Legal

Hawaii--Illegal

Idaho--Legal

Illinois--Illegal

Indiana--Legal

Iowa--Illegal

Kansas--Legal

Kentucky--Legal

Louisiana--Legal

Maine--Illegal

Maryland--Illegal

Massachusetts--Illegal

Michigan--Illegal

Minnesota--Illegal

Mississippi--Legal

Missouri--Legal Montana--Illegal

Nebraska--Illegal

Nevada--Illegal

New Hampshire--Illegal

New Jersey--Illegal

New Mexico--Legal

New York--Illegal

North Carolina--Legal

North Dakota--Illegal

Ohio--Legal

Oklahoma--Legal

Oregon--Illegal

Pennsylvania--Illegal

Rhode Island--Illegal

South Carolina--Legal

South Dakota--Illegal

Tennessee--Legal

Texas--Legal

Utah--Illegal

Vermont--Illegal

Virginia--Illegal

Washington--Illegal

West Virginia--Illegal

Wisconsin--Illegal

Wyoming--Legal

For more information check out:

Center for Effective Discipline