This position holds that corporal punishment is wrong and has no place in modern society. It argues that it legitimises violence, causes long-term psychological harm, hinders emotional development, offers no real restitution, and is never administered evenhandedly.
Supporting arguments · 6
- Corporal punishment causes long-term psychological harmCorporal punishment has been linked to an increase in depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse issues.
- Corporal punishment hinders emotional understandingIn choosing corporal punishment, the authority figure makes no effort to understand the motives and emotions behind a person’s actions. For this reason, it is a superficial punishment that damages emotional wellbeing.
- Corporal punishment offers no restitutionPart of the punitive process is to offer restitution to victims. This stage is absent in methods of corporal punishment.
- Corporal punishment legitimises violenceWhen an authority figure is allowed to administer violence, it normalises and legitimises violence.
- Corporal punishment is at odds with societal rolesAuthority figures, including the government, teachers, and parents, are supposed to offer protection from physical harm. A child expects a certain level of trust and understanding from a relationship with these figures, which is why corporal punishment is at odds with the societal roles these people purport to inhabit.
- Corporal violence is never administered evenhandedlyA punishment must be immune from societal influences and be administered evenhandedly.