Classroom Punishment

The year says 2012 and most countries have forbidden corporal punishment in the classroom. Here in Denmark corporal punishment was banned completely in 1967, in England corporal punishment was first banned in 1987. But through many generations, it has been a common feature to punish pupils for misbehavior and lack of discipline in the classrooms. The most common method to punish pupils was corporal punishment. This could be in the form of beating, canning or even whipping and it was well used by many teachers. Corporal punishment was considered acceptable by society, it was the most common method to punish criminals and therefore it was quickly transferred into the schools, so that teachers could punish the naughty children and maintain order in the classroom. The teachers used corporal punishment for many reasons, some used it as a way to discipline and rebuke naughty children others were more sadistic and punished pupils whenever they felt like it. Many teachers abused the power they had been given and punished pupils no matter if the pupils had misbehaved or not. Most grandparents or parents always remember that one teacher who punished children at any opportunity that arose and some teachers should never have been allowed to teach and be around children.

As a student I have luckily never myself experienced or witnessed corporal punishment in school and I myself have a very clear opinion about punishment of pupils. Corporal punishment should be made illegal and abolished from the school system and never again be allowed. Because it is a kind of punishment that affects the human body adversely, plus this kind of punishment is physical torture to a student. Moreover, such kind of punishment may sometimes physically impair a student for his whole life.

Another important point to remember is that corporal punishment in the schools will never ever be used fairly. By this, I mean that corporal punishment will alas much more often be used on the unfortunate pupils. Perhaps the pupil comes from a poor family, is disabled or is a minority, even boys are more likely to be hit than girls and the list could go on.

It must always be in our mind that teaching is one of the most important professions where a teacher imparts knowledge to others. A teacher must treat pupils as lovingly and caringly as possible. The teacher should applaud the pupil's achievements, help the pupil to overcome one' shortcomings and motivate the pupil to pursue one's interests. The teacher should be there to guide the pupils to become responsible and well educated. A teacher should never cause harm on a child. If a pupil is subjected to a kind of physical punishment, he or she may develop a fear (phobia) against teachers and authorities. This can result in that the pupil will be afraid to attend school and thereby fail ones education.

I believe that no matter how irritating, provocative, odious or mean a pupil or a student is; the right