Educate: Don’t punish

Abstract

We all have seen/ experienced incidences of corporal punishment, but most of us don’t see them as something strange/ to question, and yet it makes us feel uncomfortable. In other words; corporal punishment is just one of the wrong ways to discipline a child. In our society, it is a trend that children in school as well as at home are physically punished if they do not conform to the set social behavior. The punishment varies from physical abuse to psychological abuse. A child responds differently to the menace of corporal punishment and the uncontrolled anger of the parent/ teacher, may result in injuries or even death of the child. Children respect and admire adults whether parents/ teachers but these punishments may lead to anger and frustration which diminish the intimacy which the child has towards them and to cope up with the persistent abuse, the child indulges in self-destructive activities like alcohol abuse etc and even suicidal attempts. Chronic abuse of the child leads to a breach of the trust between the child and the parent/ teacher causing effects beyond physical/ mental trauma, there is an erosion of the self-esteem, fear of closeness and ill-conceived attempts to avoid unpleasant reminders of child abuse. The use of corporal punishment is strongly rooted in our society and is passed on through generations. However, this doesn’t mean that corporal punishment is justified. So, putting an end to corporal punishment is our ethical duty.