Children and Family Violence Corporal Punishment

Domestic Violence and Corporal Punishment

Domestic violence and family violence are used interchangeably. Different types of anguish, stress, suffering, estrangement, and other degrading characteristics define it. Sadly, family violence frequently subjects kids to corporal punishment, especially when internal physical pain is applied with the aim of altering behavior. In today’s society, some of the most common corporal punishment methods include beating, slapping, pinching, punching, choking, and shaking kids. The most frequent tools used in the application of corporal punishment are belts, sticks, and wooden paddles. According to academic research, punishments can either deter youngsters from acting out or make them more likely to do so. In other words, they are at time effective but mainly ineffective and irrelevant mode of disciplining children. Humanitarian union considers it to be a form of child abuse. I agree that there are various ways to curb harmful behaviors among children other than corporal punishment because it has numerous social, psychological, developmental and cognitive effects among victimized children.

Social Acceptance of Corporal Punishment

According to Vandenhole, Ellen, Didier and Sara (P, 42) to 81% of institutions and families consider corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure. It is vital to understand that social acceptance is used to justify corporal punishments across different culture and contexts. Numerous prejudices are claiming that children need such discipline to learn right and separate themselves from wrong deeds based on the social settings. It is, therefore, correct that corporal punishment is a hereditary aspect that has impinged on the lives of children for centuries and generations with minimal considerations of the effects of the punishments to children (Leclaire, 22). Every member of the family has a role to play in ending the fallacies that support corporal punishment at the disadvantage of children. I second the psychologists who hold that positive reinforcement and rewards can be used to influence the behaviors of children instead of physical harm (Berns, 59)

Potential Harmful Effects of Corporal Punishment

The physical injuries resulting from canning, bleeding and broken limbs can mark permanent mental trauma to children. Thus, corporal punishments in families should be condemned by all means. The extreme connectedness between psychological harm and corporal punishment makes it an inappropriate mode of changing the behaviors of different children. The children often subjected to physical punishment have higher chances of developing rebellious and aggressive practices. It is the basis of antisocial behaviors among children. Despite the fact that parents and guardian are likely to underreport their likelihood to use corporal punishments on their children, research finding confirms that most children are victims of this form of family violence which escalates their levels of stress and depression. The low esteem issues in children have a lot to do with this forms of punishment. As a result, affected children are likely to have to relationships with both their parents and the authorities.

Corporal Punishment and Self-Control

Corporal punishment hinders children from practicing self-control. It makes them accept violence as the best approach to control the weaker members of the society. Children can, therefore, copy this family violence practice and practice it in schools to other children. This form of punishment creates fear of the Punisher and can destroy children’s openness and communication. Following the observation of the numerous adverse effects associated with corporal punishments, most governments have adopted policies that abolish the practices in homes and schools for purposes of children safety and justice. According to Bitensky (154), Sweden was the first nation in the world to ban corporal punishment. In 1972, the American civil liberties union in collaboration with the American orthopsychiatry association held a conference that aimed at banning corporal punishments mainly in schools and homes (Gershoff, Kelly and Igor, 91). During this time, Massachusetts and New Jersey are believed to be the only states which had abolished this form of punishment. The efforts of such organizations have played a vital role in protecting children against harm and preserving their human rights.

The Inappropriateness of Corporal Punishment

After considering the vast harmful effects caused by corporal punishments on children, it is true that the sanctions are the most inappropriate form of disciplining children. The fact that these sorts of punishment are violations of the UN convention of the Rights of children demands the ending of the vice. Parents must understand that childhood is one of the unique life development stages characterized by curiosity to learn and understand the dynamics of the world. During the process of growth, children are vulnerable to make errors as they practice to distinguish between the right and wrong based on societal standards. Children need safety, dignity, and nurturance in this crucial period. Subjecting them to corporal punishment is conflicts with the traits of children and their explorative goals. Every child has a right to physical and mental wellness, self-worth, self-control and responsible upbringing. All these aspects make corporal punishment inappropriate, especially in modernity. Despite the numerous strengths associated with the end of corporal punishment, its termination will have a weakness since children’s permissiveness may increase. Nevertheless, it’s the children’s right to be protected from any harm. Thus, positive reinforcement, modeling, and support can be used as an alternative to corporal punishment if there is a need to protect children.

Works Cited

Berns, Roberta. Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning, 2016. Print.

Bitensky, Susan H. Corporal Punishment of Children: A Human Rights Violation. Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publishers, 2006. Print.

Gershoff, Elizabeth T, Kelly M. Purtell, and Igor Holas. Corporal Punishment in U.S. Public Schools: Legal Precedents, Current Practices, and Future Policy. , 2015. Print.

Leclaire, Day. Inherited: One Child. New York, NY: Silhouette Desire, 2009. Print.

Vandenhole, Wouter, Ellen Desmet, Didier Reynaert, and Sara Lembrechts. Routledge International Handbook of Children’s Rights Studies. , 2017. Print.