Supporters

Supporters of corporal punishment see this topic in a different light.  Many believe solely with the old saying “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”  Religious believers feel as though the Holy Bible grants them permission and affirmation to spank their children. Although there are several scriptures that make reference to corporal punishment there are three scripture in particular that vividly express this claim In Prov 22:15: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."  Synonyms for the word foolishness are stupidity and idiocy; with that the believers might concur that if they“ spare the rod” then they will indeed spoil the child resulting in the child remaining foolish.  “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod. And deliver his soul from hell"(Proverbs 23:13).  This scripture basically  if  you spank your child , they will not die however if you do spank them you will deliver them  from ungodliness. The third scripture reads” He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him is chastises him betimes." (King Solomon, in the Book of Proverbs [13:24]. This scripture implies that a parent that spanks their child loves them and one that does not hate their child. It is clear that religious believers feel as though it is in the best interest of the child that they receive corporal punishment because these are acts of “love”. Could it be that there are some positive effects of corporal punishment?

            Some believe that corporal punishment is very effective in raising children. Walter E. Williams an economics professor at George Mason University and nationally syndicated columnist writes in his article “Making a Case for Corporal Punishment” that corporal punishment is not only effective but also necessary. Williams believes that corporal punishment will provide a consequence for misbehavior. He believes that we could alleviate a lot of the problems that go on in school and with juvenile delinquents if we enforce corporal punishment in and out of the home. “Regardless of what the experts preached, the undeniable fact is the ‘uncivilized’ practice of whipping children produced more civilized young people. Youngsters didn't direct foul language to, or use it in the presence of, teachers and other adults. In that ‘uncivilized’ era, assaulting a teacher or adult never would have crossed our minds” (Williams 1999).  He mentions that during his upbringing, his parents weren’t the only one that could discipline him, it was customary during his era that if anyone saw that you were misbehaving, they had the authority to discipline your child. Walter argues that corporal punishment is effective, and if implemented there would be a great change in behavior of today’s youth for the better.