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Disciplining students with a cane or “paddling” as it is commonly referred to, is still allowed in 20 of the 52 states in the US. A recent case in Wichita Falls, Texas, has brought attention to the issue, after an 11th grade student received a paddling that put him in the hospital.

According to The Center for Effective Discipline or CED, corporal punishment exists today mainly in the southern states, where it is ingrained in the customs and traditions of small communities.  CED are committed to educating parents and children about the effects of corporal punishment on children and alternatives in giving discipline.  Since 1998 the 30th of April has been dubbed SpankOut Day USA, to bring about an end to hitting children, and to promote their motto “Raising Responsible (Good) Kids Without Hitting”. CED highlight the fact that if students are hit at school, they think it is ok to be hit at home, and the cycle of violence continues.

The student from Wichita Falls is currently involved in a legal case which may help bring an end to the hitting of students in Texas.  Recently, legislators in New Mexico voted to end the practice in their state, although it still needs the approval of the local governor before the law is passed.

Interestingly, St. Augustine High School, the only remaining catholic school in New Orleans who practiced paddling, have recently banned the practice, only to be met with protests from current students and the school community who want it reinstated.  They say that being able to utilise corporal punishment has contributed to character building and higher graduation rates, and the senior students say they can tell the difference between the older students and the newer ones who have not been exposed to the same traditions.

If you are interested in finding out more about GED and what they do, check out their website here.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com and http://www.stophitting.com

Tags: Corporal Punishment, Education, SpankOut Day USA, The Center for Effective Discipline, United States