Walking past the television, you overhear the news anchor convey an appalling number of reported child abuse cases. Dazed and confused, you take a seat for a brief moment in an attempt to understand how such a horrific number of violent, unethical acts could be committed and how the depraved people who commit them could wake up and look at themselves in the mirror each morning. The anchor reports, that the majority of child abuse cases stemmed initially from parents using physical force in disciplining their children. Processing this new bit of information, you recall years ago when the public began to question corporal punishment, and you realize why there was such controversy in spanking a child. The news rolls on as you mull over the various effects of corporal punishment and contemplate the progression of its brutality. You wonder how society could overlook the possible consequences of physically reprimanding a child and how such a harsh form of discipline could be so prevalent. Contrary to public belief, corporal punishment is ineffective and unethical in that it causes physical and psychological damage.
Spanking a child may stop the child from misbehaving for the moment, but his compliance will last for only a short time. Corporal punishment may actually increase a childs non-compliant behavior; it reinforces rebellion, revenge, and resentment, and therefore is ineffective. As you continue to sit uneasily pondering over the recent news reports, an old movie is called to mind. In this movie Billy, a small ten-year-old boy, is physically reprimanded for misbehaving. Instead of learning to abide by the rules in order to avoid another spanking, Billy mistakenly assumes that he is constantly hit because his parents do not love him. Over time hatred and resentment well up inside the little boy; he begins to deliberately misbehave and rebel merely to antagonize and irritate his parents. You realize that the movie clearly illustrated how ineffective corporal punishment is and continue to wonder how a parent responds when spanking a child no longer has an effect.
Most parents believe that corporal punishment is the only approach to disciplining a child. Therefore, when the effect of a few slight spankings simmers down, a parent is led to increasingly frequent and harsher spanking, which can exceed reasonable force and become abuse. You hear the news anchor state that what was initially discipline, over time turned into abuse. She continues to say that corporal punishment is becoming a standard response to any misbehavior, regardless of its severity, and that most parents may not have realized the magnitude of force they applied to their small child. Again, numerous thoughts and emotions swirl through your head. Realizing that corporal punishment may unintentionally cause serious physical damage, you question the unintentional psychological effects brought on by this barbaric form of discipline.
The message a child perceives from a slap or spanking is that a parent is prepared to induce pain and even do physical harm to force unquestioning obedience. However well intentioned, a slap registers as the shattering of a truly close relationship between parent and child. Children are left awash in feelings of fear, shame, and rage. Then, suddenly, you are pulled from your puddle of thoughts by the voice of the news anchor as she asserts that corporal punishment creates fear in a child. Immediately, thoughts of your close friend, Katie, begin to arise. You wonder how such a beautiful and intelligent girl could be so troubled. Every time someone becomes angry and speaks to her in a heated tone, she completely breaks down. When asked why such a minor occurrence has such a major effect, you recall Katie attempted to explain to you that she is afraid of what the other person may do. The peculiar thought enters you mind that this fear might stem from the harsh and frequent spankings she received as a child. Although you hope this conclusion is completely inaccurate, you know deep down that you are probably right on target.
As the news report comes to a close, you hear the anchor conclude that physically reprimanding a child is unethical, as well as ineffective, and that it may also unintentionally lead to serious physical and psychological damage. Recalling Billys rebellion, the concept of exceeding reasonable force, and Katies fear, you find yourself agreeing whole-heartedly with the anchor. Bewildered and taken aback, you continue to mull over the appalling number of reported child abuse cases. Outraged by this thought, tears begin to stream down your cheeks as you question the morality of people who discipline their children using corporal punishment.
THESIS: Contrary to public belief, corporal punishment is ineffective and unethical in that it causes physical and psychological damage.
- Possibly causes physical damage
- Undoubtedly causes psychological damage
Leaving a lasting impression, children who are physically reprimanded are more likely to think twice before consciously misbehaving. Corporal punishment also teaches a child to respect authority, as well as the importance of listening and obeying rules.
On the other hand, corporal punishment is ineffective in that it reinforces revenge, rebellion, and resentment increasing non-compliant behavior. Spanking a child may also easily lead to unintentional serious physical abuse. Creating psychological damage, children are left awash in feeling of fear and anger.
FACT:
- If exceeds reasonable force, corporal punishment may lead to abuse.
- Corporal punishment is a commonly used manner of discipline.
- Corporal punishment is the form of discipline in which a child is physically reprimanded.
OPINION: Corporal punishment is not only unethical, but it is also a cruel and somewhat barbaric form of discipline that causes serious psychological damage.
INFERENCE: Physically reprimanding a child damages him more than it teaches him discipline.
Billy, a small ten-year-old boy, is physically reprimanded for misbehaving. Instead of learning to abide by the rules in order to avoid another spanking, Billy mistakenly assumes that he is constantly hit because his parents do not love him. Over time hatred and resentment well up inside the little boy; he begins to deliberately misbehave and rebel merely to antagonize and irritate his parents.
