The American Public's View On Corporal Punishment

Several days ago, the police in Montgomery County (Texas) arrested Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and charged him with Injury To A Child. The pictures above show the results of the "spanking" he gave his 4 year-old child (and these pictures were taken a few days after the incident). He admits to using a switch to discipline the child.

In my opinion, this is inexcusable behavior -- and Peterson should be severely disciplined himself. Unfortunately, this kind of thing still happens far too often in this country. While I deplore Peterson's action, I am glad this has become so public -- because we need to have a discussion on what is proper in disciplining a child.

This did make me wonder just what most Americans think about corporal punishment for children. And the folks at the YouGov Poll did a survey to answer that question. Their survey was done between September 15th and 17th of a random national sample of 1,000 adults, and has a margin of error of 4.1 points. Without further comment, I give you the results of that survey in the charts below:

This Just Ain't Right

In recent years, there has been an argument among education professionals pertaining to corporal punishment of unruly students. Some people think it works, while others view it as little more than child abuse.

Many states have banned corporal punishment altogether, but the following states still allow its use -- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

I really haven't made my mind up on the issue. When I was in school, corporal punishment was used and I know the fear of it prevented some kids from misbehaving. I also believe it has been misused. There are valid arguments on both sides. But that is with normal kids.

I am really shocked to learn that disabled kids are being paddled or physically punished. Not only that, but it is happening more often with disabled kids than with so-called "normal" kids.

That's what a study based on federal Department of Education data shows. Disabled kids make up 14% of the school population, but received 19% of the paddlings done to school children. One example noted was when a 6 year-old autistic boy was paddled by a 300 lb. man using a one inch thick paddle.

The child's grandmother said, “My child just lost it. It just devastated him. When a child with autism has something like that happen, they don’t forget it. It’s always fresh in their minds.”

Alice Farmer, who wrote the study, puts it this way, “Corporal punishment is just not an effective method of punishment, especially for disabled children, who may not even understand why they’re being hit." I would have to agree.

Corporal punishment can be debated for normal school children, but it is just beyond the pale to even consider it for disabled children. If that is the only way you know to try and control a disabled child, then you probably shouldn't be working with disable children.