TO FLOG OR NOT TO FLOG, that is the question! Recently, the multi-talented and dynamic Toni Thorne solicited my views on the merits and demerits of corporal punishment. This was a challenging and quite engaging opportunity for me.
I was given an opportunity to interact with some bright and progressive young people, a strong teacher and two excellent students. Their reasoning and expressive views impressed me and projected them as outstanding ambassadors for our lovely country.
The discussion was heated and focused. Today, I will seek to give a more expansive and coordinated expression of my views on this topic. The focus will be on the use of corporal punishment both within the home and in the school environment.
Any discussion on the merits of corporal punishment ostensibly begins with a six-lane highway division. On the one hand, proponents make connections to the decline in societal standards because of the refusal to respect what they see as an uncompromising mandate that if one spares the rod, one is simply spoiling the child.
The opponents on the other hand address the issue from the area of human and civil rights, stating that it is cruel and inhumane. They further claim that the subliminal message being sent to those being inflicted with the punishment is one of negativity and support for violence and beating as appropriate conflict resolution strategies.
As someone who was never flogged by mother or father (though never spared by my grandmother) but who was flogged twice at primary and once in secondary (fourth form), my views are somewhere in the middle. I was once a very strong proponent of corporal punishment both in the home and the school, but I no longer am. Views do evolve!
I have never once seen corporal punishment used in the home without it being a response driven by anger. That makes me an immediate opponent as I see it being used only for punishment and not for behaviour change which I believe should be the goal. In calm reflection we usually choose to utilise other available forms of discipline such as increased chores, denial of privileges discussion of the why and how things could be done differently.
In the school environment things are somewhat different. There are children of various backgrounds and experiences who may react differently to various disciplinary options. It is also a fact that many students have pleaded to be flogged rather than to be suspended to their home environment which may be seen as unsupportive or even challenging and depressing.
Schools are also driven by rules and, whereas I will always object to the over-eager bamboo wielding approach to student discipline as I have observed being practised by some, those to whom corporal punishment can be delegated should not be so hamstrung by a denial of the tools given to them. Although I may personally opt not to dispense corporal punishment, no one can deny that it has proven to be effective in many instances with different children.
In our progressive society, we have to seek alternative answers for the diverse problems we face in schools. Corporal punishment, if and when used, should be the option of last resort. This is one of those areas where rules, rights and religious thinking come into conflict. The state must step up and use legislation to remove corporal punishment as an option in the school setting or to give a clear and unequivocal mandate on its use!
Jeff Broomes is an experienced educator, principal and community organiser who also served as a vice president of the BCA and director of the WICB. Email: [email protected]
