blog




  • Essay / The Evolution of Corporal Punishment in Education

    Table of ContentsIntroductionGreek and Roman Eras (800 BC – 476)SpartaQuintilianLate Middle Ages – Early Modern Period (500 – 1700)Modern Era (1700 – Present) hui)Corporal punishment in Canadian schoolsCorporal punishment in American schoolsConclusionReferencesIntroductionThe history of corporal punishment in schools dates back to ancient times, well before 500 BC. Although the precise origin of corporal punishment remains unclear, the first instances of corporal punishment in school settings were documented in ancient Greece, spanning from 800 to 500 BC. Throughout Greek and Roman antiquity, a contentious debate around the use of corporal punishment in education persisted. This article examines the evolution of corporal punishment in schools over the past 2,500 to 3,000 years, focusing on ancient Greece, ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and modern areas of Canada and the United States. 'America. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayAncient Greek and Roman eras (800 BC – 476)Earliest records of schools or classrooms date back to a period before 500 BC. These documents describe a tragic incident in Chios, Greece, in which a classroom structure collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 119 students. During this historical era, corporal punishment played a central role in education and strict discipline was commonplace. Corporal punishment, defined as the application of physical force to an individual for the purpose of modifying their behavior, was administered even for minor transgressions. Penalties were severe, regardless of the scale of the offense. It should be noted that corporal punishment was not reserved only for those who committed wrongdoing; it was also inflicted on those who failed to complete their tasks quickly or maintain correct posture. Examples of corporal punishment included, but were not limited to, beatings, lashings, public humiliation, and even death sentences. During this period, corporal punishment was not seen solely as a punitive measure or as harm inflicted on children; instead, it was seen as a tool to toughen them up and prepare them for their future roles in society. Sparta During this time, one of the most infamous cases of corporal punishment was the "beating contest" that took place during the festival of Artemis Orthia. This event was an integral part of the upbringing and education of young men. During the flogging contest, young boys were subjected to severe beatings, sometimes even fatal, as they attempted to steal cheese from the altar of Artemis Orthia. This competition served as a method to teach the boys endurance, problem solving, trial and error, and learning by observing their peers. These lessons were of considerable importance to a boy's future, especially during his compulsory military training. Although these extreme examples of corporal punishment are relatively common and widely accepted, a few notable individuals have expressed opposition to their use in an educational context. Quintilian Opposition to corporal punishment in schools is not a recent phenomenon. As might be expected, not everyone embraced the idea of ​​corporal punishment as a teaching tool. One of the leading figures of this era who challenged the use of corporal punishment in education was Quintilian. THEQuintilian's dissenting view is clearly expressed in the following passage: "I do not agree that the students should be whipped. Firstly, because flogging is shameful and therefore only suitable for slaves and is certainly an insult, a fact which is indisputable if we substitute for it secondly, because if a boy has such an intractable character that he can be corrected by reprimands, he will even harden himself to your blows, just as the worst slaves are. " In addition to this passage, Quintilian believed that learning should be rewarded, and those who do not wish to complete their studies should not suffer corporal punishment, but rather see their peers receive recognition and prizes for their thirst for learning . Despite opposition, corporal punishment remained widespread. Late Middle Ages – Early Modern Period (500 – 1700) Vincent de Beauvais, a French scholar, was among the medieval philosophers who advocated corporal punishment as a cornerstone of effective education (contested education). The rationales behind the use of corporal punishment varied, but several perceived benefits included the belief that fear was the first step toward knowledge and understanding, that physical discipline could shape both the mind and body, instill morality , facilitate learning from past mistakes, and impose obedience. This perspective began to change for many after 1690, when John Locke, often hailed as the “father of liberalism,” published “Concerning Human Understanding.” Locke's philosophy posited that children were blank slates who could be improved through guidance rather than discipline. He argued that disciplining the children would not: “...have led him to be in love with his book; to take pleasure in learning and to desire, as he does, to learn more than those around him always think appropriate. to teach him. … We have reason to conclude that great care must be taken to train the minds of children and to give them early on that seasoning which will always influence their lives. "Until this point in history, there had been little debate over whether children should be subjected to corporal punishment in school settings. In subsequent centuries, laws were passed regarding corporal punishment, and the idea of ​​physically punishing children gradually fell out of favor in many countries around the world. The modern era (1700 to present) Another important factor pushing for the abolition of corporal punishment in. schools was the globalization movement to abolish capital punishment, also known as the death penalty. In 1863, Venezuela became a pioneer in abolishing capital punishment altogether, setting an example for many other countries. Shortly after the end of World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established to safeguard the rights of every individual. It was during this period of history that the use of corporal punishment in. schools began to decline in parts of Canada and the United States. However, even after addressing this issue, it was simply recommended that its use be restricted, and therefore no specific guidelines or restrictions were imposed. Between 1890 and 1920, the issue of corporal punishment in schools sparked debate in Canada and the United States, in part due to increased student enrollment. As teachers in the United States began to unionize, their focus shifted toward the importance of teaching and away from addressing behavior problems in the classroom. However, in theThe 1950s and 1960s saw a regression from the previous approach, with corporal punishment once again taking center stage in schools. This resurgence has been fueled by fears that children could spiral out of control and engage in delinquent behavior without strict discipline. As of 2016, the United States of America, Australia, and 67 other countries still legally allow corporal punishment in schools, although it is considered a violation of the law. the human rights of an individual by many. by Emmett Hall and Lloyd Dennis. The first Canadian province to amend its Education and Schools Act and officially ban corporal punishment in schools was British Columbia in 1973. Ontario was the last province to revise its Education Act to reflect the ban on corporal punishment, with the exception of Manitoba and Alberta, which have not yet recognized the ban on corporal punishment in their education laws. Nevertheless, in Manitoba and Alberta, corporal punishment remains illegal due to a national ban on such practices in schools, implemented in 2004. Since 2004, corporal punishment in schools has been illegal in Canada and no form of Corporal punishment cannot be used. under any circumstances. The only situation in which an educator may use force against a student is in self-defense or in defense of another individual. Now that corporal punishment is illegal in Canadian schools, there is a growing movement to make all corporal punishment of children illegal. GOOD. Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that "this right includes the right to be free from the threat of corporal punishment or suffering", thus making corporal punishment illegal. However, it is not strictly illegal when administered by a parent, unless it is motivated by anger, frustration, or anger. still allows corporal punishment in public schools in 19 states and private schools in 48 states. This practice is not limited to specific age groups and even extends to preschool students. As defined by the Texas Education Code of 2013, corporal punishment includes the intentional infliction of physical pain through methods such as hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other form of physical force used for disciplinary purposes. Some counties in all 19 states have even established guidelines specifying dimensions and recommendations for wooden paddles. For example, in Pickens County, Alabama, it is suggested that a paddle measuring two feet long, three inches in diameter, and half an inch thick be used to punish students. It is striking to note that there is a resemblance between the behaviors sanctioned today and those sanctioned in Antiquity. While the majority of modern cases of corporal punishment involve incidents such as fights between students, bullying or drinking during school trips, almost 40% of cases, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) , concern much less serious behavior such as inappropriate behavior. language, cell phone use, inability to do homework, running or laughing in the hallways, mispronouncing words, leaving class without permission, and getting below average grades. Although corporal punishment is not illegal in the United States, data from two national surveys by Survey USA and ABC News' Julie Crandell, presented by NCBI, indicate that 72 percent and 74 percent of respondents