For the purposes of this thread, corporal punishment encompasses all types of physical punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light, as well as non-physical forms of punishment that are cruel and degrading. It also may include forcing a
In the U.S., corporal punishment is still lawful in the home in all states, and legal provisions against violence and abuse are not interpreted as prohibiting all corporal punishment, like spanking, according to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children.
In addition, corporal punishment is still legal in private schools in every U.S. state except New Jersey and Iowa, legal in public schools in 19 states.
In blue states corporal punishment in public schools is prohibited,
In red states it is permitted.
For further information on the legality of corporal punishment, I recommend this site.
Not only is it legal, but a poll from 2013 and one from 2014 both show that the public approves of corporal punishment, even though research shows that it has a negative effect on the mental health of children, and increases likeliness of criminal involvement.
So, NSG, what is your opinion on corporal punishment? Should it be used? Should it be legal?
It is my personal opinion that corporal punishment should be illegal and never used, based on the negative effects it has on the mental health of children.