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In a troubling incident, a mother found herself with no choice but to record a distressing scene involving her six-year-old daughter, a school principal, and a clerk. With no cameras around, she feared her word wouldn’t hold up — so she discreetly captured the event on her phone. The footage is disturbing: the principal and clerk force the little girl into position, yelling at her to “stick your butt out.” After the first strike from a heavy wooden paddle, the girl recoils in pain, only to be ordered to resume her position for another hit while she cries. The punishment inflicted by the principal was so severe that it left bruises, as documented by the child’s pediatrician. Shockingly, this was legal in Florida.
Why is this still permissible? According to The Brookings Institute, 23 states allow corporal punishment either explicitly or leave the decision to local authorities. This means that nearly half of all children in the U.S. live in areas where such practices are permitted. For instance, Oklahoma’s law states that “nothing contained in this act shall prohibit any parent, teacher or other person from using ordinary force as a means of discipline, including but not limited to spanking, switching or paddling.” South Carolina allows individual school districts to determine the appropriateness of corporal punishment.
What constitutes “corporal punishment”? Florida defines it as “moderate use of physical force or physical contact” by teachers or principals for maintaining discipline. But what does “moderate” even mean?
The Reality of Corporal Punishment
In 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of corporal punishment in schools. It is generally defined as using physical force to intentionally cause pain to correct misbehavior. This means educational institutions are permitted to inflict pain on children — a practice that is both alarming and unjustifiable.
According to a 2016 study, an estimated 166,000 students face corporal punishment annually. The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that certain demographics, particularly in Southern states, are disproportionately affected by this practice. For instance, in school districts where corporal punishment is practiced, 14% of Black boys and 5.2% of Black girls were subjected to such disciplinary actions, compared to just 7.5% and 1.7% of their white counterparts, respectively.
Moreover, children with disabilities face even higher rates of corporal punishment, being over 50% more likely to be punished physically than their peers without disabilities. This practice is especially concerning as it often targets behaviors stemming from their disabilities, violating federal laws designed to ensure equal access to education.
Ineffectiveness of Corporal Punishment
The consensus among experts is clear: corporal punishment does not work. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that studies show no long-term benefits from physical punishment. Instead, it contributes to lower academic achievement, increased absenteeism, and a breakdown of trust between students and teachers.
With compelling evidence against corporal punishment and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, the question remains: why do we allow educators to strike our children? There’s no justification for permitting such practices, and it’s time for a reevaluation of these outdated policies.
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Summary
Corporal punishment remains legal in many U.S. schools, allowing educators to inflict pain on children. This practice disproportionately affects children of color and those with disabilities, raising serious ethical concerns. Despite evidence of its ineffectiveness and potential harm, it persists in various states.
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