When I first encountered the concept of eliminating corporal punishment, it sparked a flurry of questions in my mind: What exactly is corporal punishment? Does it still exist in the so-called ‘modern’ 21st century? How can a parent or teacher disciplining a child for the child’s own good be considered wrong? Initially, I wasn’t convinced about the concept of eliminating corporal punishment.
My perspective changed dramatically the day after when I visited our center. I witnessed a mother choking her 1-year-old simply because he was asking for food. This shocking experience dismantled my previous beliefs and made me realize how privileged my background is that I haven’t witnessed anything like this around me and how isolated I am from the harsh realities that others face.
After some research, I found that it is highly prevalent in society. The World Health Organization reveals that corporal punishment is common worldwide, with 60% of children aged 2 to 14 experiencing it regularly at home or school. UNICEF adds that around 720 million school-aged children live in countries lacking legal protections against such discipline.
I’m sure many people from so-called privileged backgrounds like mine may not be aware of corporal punishment, so let’s burst the bubble for them.
What is corporal punishment? Although, there is no statutory definition of ‘corporal punishment’ targeting children in India, corporal punishment, as defined by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), encompasses any action that inflicts pain, injury, or discomfort upon a child.
So does that mean Corporal punishment affects the child just physically? No, Corporal punishment has far-reaching psychological and physiological consequences. Beyond the immediate physical pain, it induces fear and stress, disrupting normal brain function and impairing cognitive and emotional development. The trauma inflicted can have lasting effects on a child’s well-being and development.
Finally, is corporal punishment merely a personal issue, or does it extend its impact to the nation at large? Is it confined to the present generation, or does it ripple through generations? The truth is, that its influence stretches beyond individual children, affecting entire nations and echoing across generations.
Corporal punishment creates a climate of fear among children. This fear can make them reluctant to communicate openly with their parents and hesitant to attend school. As a result, their education suffers, leading to lower academic performance and higher dropout rates. This educational setback can contribute to a cycle of poverty, as children who face such hardships often struggle to achieve economic stability later in life.
The repercussions extend beyond just education. Children who endure corporal punishment are at a higher risk of developing vindictive behavior and criminal tendencies. This can increase legal and social costs for the country. In fact, the World Bank estimates that ignoring issues like school violence and corporal punishment leads to massive economic losses — around $11 trillion globally in lost lifetime earnings.
Furthermore, the fear and trauma associated with corporal punishment can undermine social cohesion and erode trust within communities. For instance, research by the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that corporal punishment is disproportionately applied to Black males and students with disabilities. This disruption of social bonds not only weakens community ties but also hampers overall societal stability and progress, ultimately affecting the nation’s development on various fronts.
The Government has taken several measures such as the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015, to combat corporal punishment. The question is: Is it enough to bring about the change that we, as a society, want for our future generations—our greatest assets?
Corporal punishment is a betrayal of our commitment to human rights; it is a betrayal of our constitution and it is a betrayal towards the innocence of a child. Eliminating corporal punishment is not just about changing policies; it’s about the evolution of our collective values as a society. It is not merely a matter of educational reform but a profound societal imperative. We must replace it with compassion and constructive guidance. By choosing understanding over fear, the legacy we create today in how we care for and support our children will shape the very fabric of our tomorrow. So let us all, as a society, stand against this harmful practice and protect our children, who are not merely the future—but the heartbeat of our present.
Aashna Mahajan