1. Project #5 SOWK 300 Computer Applications in the Social Sciences Spring 2010 Calvin Buford SOWK300 10/20/11 History/Background Corporal punishment refers to the use of physical punishment to correct behavior. The term derives from the Latin corpus, meaning body. As an officially administered or sanctioned method of enforcing discipline, corporal punishment is in decline. Despite persistent enthusiasm for physical chastisement in significant sections of the population, social scientists are virtually unanimous in arguing that corporal punishment has more negative than positive effects. Although the various methods of corporal punishment were steadily outlawed throughout the 20th Century, it was not until after the 1967 Plowden report, 'Children and their Primary Schools', that the abolition of corporal punishment in state schools was treated as a major issue, and in 1986 it was outlawed altogether. It was not until 1998 that corporal punishment was outlawed for the few remaining independent schools that retained the practice. Alternatives These alternatives provide parents and other caregivers with a focus on child development. They present strategies which can lead to less violent behavior in children and adults, and they can help decrease the frustration and helplessness in parents which often lead to physical punishment. Talking and using words instead of actions - talk rather than hit. Listening to the child - find out why he/she did or did not do something. Help the child label his or her feelings with words as early as possible. The nine inborn feelings (interest, enjoyment, surprise, distress, anger, fear, shame, disgust, and dissmell) should be labeled with words. This will facilitate tension regulation and aid the transition to more mature ways of handling emotion.. Positive reinforcement - rewards and praise - will enhance the child's self-esteem when appropriate standards are met. Positive reinforcement is more effective in obtaining long-term behavioral compliance than frightening and shaming punishments. Set a good example for the child. The child wants to be like the parents Parents say they accept corporal punishment because of the way it eliminates unacceptable and bothersome behavior. They also state that other means of punishment, which don't inflict pain, have no effect on their children. Some parents believe that with parenthood comes the right to raise their child as they feel is necessary, including choosing the type of punishment they desire to use. Other than having rights, some religious parents think that using corporal punishment is essential because the Bible has references to the use of it. One example of this is in the Book of Proverbs, 23:13-14, in which it says, "Withhold not correction from the child; for thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. No cogent evidence has been shown that a parent who uses corporal punishment within reason on their child is going to make that child grow up with hostile or anti social behaviors. It is not recommended to hit a child under the age of two due to the chance of causing harm to the child. Controversies 1.Project #1 SOWK300 2. http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/corporal-punishment 3. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-corporal- punishment.htm 4.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/75596/the_ongoing_ controversy_over_the_use_pg4.html?cat=72 References Pros  Corporal punishment, specifically spanking or similar actions, can be an effective punishment and deterrent for childish misbehavior.  Corporal punishment must be used as part of a wider strategy and at the correct time: when other immediate discipline has failed  If corporal punishment is administered in the presence of at least two adults, that greatly reduces the risk of violent or sexual abuse. Cons  As a result, child abuse typically starts as corporal punishment.  They will lose trust in the adults who administer the beating; they learn that force is an acceptable factor in human interaction; they feel humiliated and lose self-respect; and they build up resentment.  The buttocks are a sexual zone; to much pain can affect the psychosexual development of the children receiving it Pros vs Cons The survey project on “Spanking and Corporal Punishment” was meant to address the different opinions/views of students from Tuskegee University. While convincing arguments can be put forward by the advocates of abolishment of CP and those who are not, it is submitted that at the end of the day, it may not be practical for international human rights law to prohibit the use of CP on children in any context. To a lot of people, abolishing CP on children would go against their religious beliefs. To others, it will culturally unacceptable. Therefore, it is submitted that one must accept that CP on children will be carried out and international human rights law as well as domestic laws must work to prevent it from amounting to abuse and/or inhuman and degrading treatment. Conclusions This pie chart breaks down the different classifications who all took the spanking and corporal punishment survey. The survey clearly shows woman outnumbered men in taking the survey by a long shot. Only one survey felt the need to remain confidential and not mark either gender. This pie graph addresses the age range of all one hundred participants of corporal punishment survey.