Instigator / Con
8
1500
rating
2
debates
50.0%
won
Topic
#4555
Physical punishments in schools are bad
Status
Finished
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
Winner & statistics
After 4 votes and with 19 points ahead, the winner is...
Bella3sp
Parameters
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Standard
- Number of rounds
- 3
- Time for argument
- One week
- Max argument characters
- 10,000
- Voting period
- One week
- Point system
- Multiple criterions
- Voting system
- Open
Contender / Pro
27
1524
rating
53
debates
75.47%
won
Description
No information
Round 1
Physical punishments in schools are bad
Ladies, gentlemen and people of all kinds let me introduce to you my two arguments on why physical punishments in schools are not inherently bad.
Before I start with my arguments I would like to define physical punishment as something that punishes the person physically but does not significantly hurt the person. I would like to mention that in this type of punishment can belong some sort of exercise (for example push ups) or some sort of help in school (like helping cleaning the tables, or smth like that) that requires physical movement.
If we apply this definition in schools we should realize that none of these punishments should be traumatizing and that they have to be consulted with other teachers. Also students often choose this method over suspension or detention.
- Students are in stress
When kids do something that is not good (get bad grades, break sth. etc.) it usually means that they are going to be punished by teachers ( they will be told by them that they did something wrong and get a bad grade, note to their parents etc.), and then they have to go to their parents to tell them. Which means that they are being humiliated twice as much as needed ( in front of teachers (+ in class) and by their parents. Which leads to a lot of stress that hurts the student.
If teachers will be able to punish kids by themselves (according to my definition). Kids won't have to be for example beaten up by their abusive parents but they can get proper punishment that will actually help them realize their wrongdoing.
- Kids also will take punishment from teachers more seriously because kids generally tend to listen more to teachers than their parents.
- as an example I could use that putting your kid in some sort of sport with a good trainer can help them teach some rules and good behavior because they have some sort of authority that everyone around them respects and listens to (also trainers use physical punishments (push ups,sit ups,...) quite often and it is effective).
So we can say here that physical punishments in schools can reduce stress and by that, it'll help with students' mental health overall. Which means it fulfills the value of mental health.
- It'll help them to handle things on their own
If students won't have to go to their parents after every problem they make, it will teach them to handle problems by themself, because if the teacher gives proper punishment to the student (after some mild wrongdoing) they won't always have the need to consult it directly with the parent because the student will be taught a lesson (students of course can tell their parents if they want to).
- if the student is given the choice he will be taught to choose correctly in the future, because the problems that they make won't be only between the teacher and parents, but mostly between student and teacher (and parent can be too). So the student will have the feeling of some sort of responsibility and not only stress from all the punishments from everyone after they cannot even get the choice.
The students will be able to make responsible choices while being in school, which means that they will have better preparation for life in work for example and that is good.
Also the negative effects of physical punishment were often attached to excessive use of the punishment which is not that we are talking about here.
1) If you are interested in sources for some of my claims you can ask in the comments.
2) If some of my claims are hard to understand ( because my english is not the best and also my explanation too), please ask in the comments also. (I am sorry that my english is not the best and that can cause some problems, hope you understand)
Thanks JustKlara,
Saw your comment, and your alright. I typically respond within a few days or weeks anyways. As you can see by me speed running this.
Point
Burden
This is shared between both users.
Pro must prove why physical punishments in schools are bad.
Con must prove why physical punishments in schools is not bad.
Case
I will be providing seven contentions that support, physical punishment in schools are bad.
The following will be included:
- Its a violation of the laws in multiple areas of the world
- A violation of laws that should not be contradicted under circumstances in school
- Physical punishment
- Having physical punishment creates a bad environment
- Students may develop more stress in schools
- It teaches kids bad habits further in life
- Overall leaves bad childhood memories further down the line
I will also discover what the majority of popularity would prefer, considering what would be unfavorable.
Definitions:
Define bad:
a: failing to reach an acceptable standard : POORa bad repair jobbmake a bad impressionc: not fresh : SPOILEDbad fishd: not sound : DILAPIDATEDthe house was in bad condition
Mentions
Before we begin, I wanted to state a few things:
- Pro states "physical punishment" in the resolution, meaning the type of physical punishment is not limited.
- "Bad" is a broad term.
Contentions
I. Violation of Laws
Definition of Assault:
An attempt with force or violence to do a corporal injury to another; may consist of any act tending to such corporal injury, accompanied with such circumstances as denotes at the time an intention, coupled with present ability, of using actual violence against the person.
The following source above ^^^^, is for the USA. However, it is also a crime in multiple areas of the world.
Teachers have absolutely no ownership, of the student meaning they should not be aloud to have any chance to physical assault a student. Yes, they are responsibile for safety and education however. But as I said, safety and education. Not creating an unsafe environment while teaching. Even parent's are limited, before it becomes abuse and with the broad term of physical punishment there are no limits with this for teachers.
That said, since teachers have no ownership of the student they have no power to physical assault them. Which includes, if they student chooses not to do their work, that is their choice. Sending a phone call home let's the parent's know, to fix their behavior. It is the parent's job to fix their behavior because they have ownership.
II. Presenting an unsafe/unwanted environment
Nobody wants to come to an environment that feels like its unsafe. How would students feel if even the smallest mistake they made they were physically punished?
Many student's would feel unwelcomed in the environment or even unsafe.
III. Teaching bad habits
If you use physical punishment, it leads to bad habits in the future for the students. You are teaching them to handle things with physical aggression.
How would it be in children were taught to use physical violence for everything in the world? Students minds do not develop till the age of mid or late twenties. If we are to teach them physical aggression is alright we are teaching them for their leading years in the world. Which in reality, could lead them into the "criminal world".
IV. Creates even more stress
If every time I walked into school, I was afraid of making the smallest mistake that could leads into a whole heap of humiliation and punishment its obvious it would deal great stress to the students. Now, if it happened to be effective what would be the lasting effects for the future?
What does the World Health Organization say about this?
"Corporal punishment triggers harmful psychological and physiological responses. Children not only experience pain, sadness, fear, anger, shame and guilt, but feeling threatened also leads to physiological stress and the activation of neural pathways that support dealing with danger."
Furthermore from ShapeAmerica, it concludes the following about physical punishment:
"SHAPE America opposes administering physical activity as a form of punishment and/or behavior management. Using physical activity as a punishment discourages students' engagement in an active lifestyle, which is counter-productive to the development of the whole child."
Mental health seems to take a part.
V. Double standards
If an adult to another adult is not aloud to physical hit another, why should students not receive the same protection?
Students are human beings as well and should be treated as such. Teachers are there to teach but not teach how one should raise their child.
The parent decides how a child should be disciplined. Not a teacher. It is up to the parent how they would like for their child/ren to learn discipline. After all, they have ownership of the child.
VI. Bad childhood memories
Once school is finished, what are the thoughts of the students? All they can remember is the memories of physical punishment?
Bad in this case:
bmake a bad impression
I think its safe to say, this would be unfavorable for many which concludes it is "bad". Imagine being humiliated and punished in front of the entire class, in fact, even your parents would hear about it. I think this would be unfavorable for the majority of the population of the students. Not even some parent's might not feel comfortable with such punishments.
Rebuttals:
Students are in stress(Not enough characters)
I'm glad you said this.
Wouldn't physical punishment be the same?
How embarrassing would it be to be spanked in front of the class versus having a phone call home?
If teachers will be able to punish kids by themselves (according to my definition). Kids won't have to be for example beaten up by their abusive parents but they can get proper punishment that will actually help them realize their wrongdoing.
If you call parent's who have ownership of the child, who are doing reasonable punishments, abusive, then wouldn't that make a teacher abusive?
Now, I will say some parent's don't have reasonable punishments but you bunch all the parent's together. Unless you mean they won't get a punishment because they won't have a phone call home? With this, I disagree. I believe with physical punishments the parent's would be alerted. Such as being alerted if the student go detention or got into a fight.
- Kids also will take punishment from teachers more seriously because kids generally tend to listen more to teachers than their parents.
I doubt a student would listen more to their teachers than parents.. But in that case, would that continue if teachers started giving out physical punishments which would lead into an unsafe or unwanted environment? They would be just as bad as parents, and they don't even have ownership.
- as an example I could use that putting your kid in some sort of sport with a good trainer can help them teach some rules and good behavior because they have some sort of authority that everyone around them respects and listens to (also trainers use physical punishments (push ups,sit ups,...) quite often and it is effective).
I know physical trainers do, but I don't see what you mean by effective? And how long does this last, only while training?
So we can say here that physical punishments in schools can reduce stress and by that, it'll help with students' mental health overall. Which means it fulfills the value of mental health.
As I have said in my contention, it creates more stress rather than reducing. This would harm their mental health, not support it.
- It'll help them to handle things on their own
(Not enough words)
Are you suggesting that they would keep the physical punishment a secret? So not only are they being physically punished, but their parent's don't know what the teacher did?
If not, then wouldn't that mean that they are also getting a phone call home? Which would be contradicting this entire contention and your other one.
- if the student is given the choice he will be taught to choose correctly in the future, because the problems that they make won't be only between the teacher and parents, but mostly between student and teacher (and parent can be too). So the student will have the feeling of some sort of responsibility and not only stress from all the punishments from everyone after they cannot even get the choice.
What? What choice?
You also state that this will be between the teacher, student's and parent's? What do you mean? This a bit broad.
The students will be able to make responsible choices while being in school, which means that they will have better preparation for life in work for example and that is good.
The student's 'might' make responsible choices, but overall leaves lasting effects for the future and their current times at the school.
Sources:
Comments, running out of characters.
Round 2
Thanks Bella3sp, for your response.
Since I tried to speak about various types of physical punishments (and did not use one type), it only caused mess in my argumentation. By continuing this debate I feel like I would only make it worse. That is why I am surrendering.
Thanks for this debate. Maybe if there will be next time, it will be hopefuly better.
No problem.
Extend.
Round 3
Forfeited
Extend and End.
Con conceded, vote pro.
Bump
Would ha into do physical work be considered physical punishment. I had to clean a lot of boards and write a lot of li ea as a kid
Wtf
I received lots of physical punishment in school as a kid, but in my time that kind of stuff was normal and approved by everyone. Its interesting to see how people change their opinions over time.
Nah, your good. I just did the same.
My bad, and ill be throwing out better responses next round.
Sources R1:
1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad
2. https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1610-assault-18-usc-351e
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/corporal-punishment-and-health#:~:text=Corporal%20punishment%20triggers%20harmful%20psychological,that%20support%20dealing%20with%20danger.
4. https://www.shapeamerica.org/Common/Uploaded%20files//uploads/2021/advocacy/position-statements/Physical-Activity-Should-Not-Be-Used-as-Punishment-and-or-Behavior-Management.pdf
I completely forgoted about this debate. I have not written arguments faster in my life lol
Sorry for letting you wait that long