“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.” — Friedrich Engels

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Presently, 19 states still allow corporal punishment. The United States Supreme Court decision in 1977 said that “corporal punishment was not cruel and unusual punishment and is, thus, allowed in schools.” This ruling is still in effect.

* First “Top pro:” Corporal punishment is the appropriate discipline for certain children when used in moderation.

* First “Top con:” Corporal punishment can inflict long-lasting physical and mental harm on students.

My practical experiences as a veteran educator:

I observed no long-term effects of corporal punishment on any of the 1,000s of students I have taught at all levels of the K-12 school environment. On the contrary, it settled many discipline problems in the classroom. And very, very few of the many colleagues I have worked with, and fellow educators I met at numerous educational conferences over the years, were opposed to corporal punishment. In fact, even though corporal punishment in West Virginia is not permitted, many of my students’ parents still felt the need for corporal punishment in the K-12 environment for their children.

* Second “Top pro:” Corporal punishment sets clear boundaries and motivates children to behave in school.

* Second “Top con:” Corporal punishment creates an unsafe and violent school environment.

My practical experiences as a veteran educator: With clear and consistent corporal punishment guidelines, the students know what the consequences will be regarding certain forms of misbehavior. Thus, they refrain from committing such infractions and the inappropriate behavior is extinguished. I have never experienced corporal punishment creating an unsafe and violent school environment. In fact, just the opposite has transpired due to the boundaries that are set regarding unbecoming behavior. Furthermore, since corporal punishment has been abolished in many states, discipline problems in schools have risen. One need only read or listen to the news or ask any practicing K-12 educator. Knowledge gleaned from practical experience lasts a lifetime.

* Third “Top pro:” Corporal punishment is often chosen by students over suspension or detention.

* Third “Top con:” Corporal punishment is an inappropriate punishment that harms the education of children.

My practical experiences as a veteran educator: Actually, I take issue with both the third “pro and con” findings. During my extensive career as a K-12 educator, as well as my experiences as a K-12 student (mentioned previously), not once did I or any of my students chose “corporal punishment” over being suspended or spending time in the detention room. Furthermore, since the elimination of corporal punishment in West Virginia, one of my duties at the school was “dean of students.”

I was primarily involved with overseeing student discipline problems. What did I learn? Suspension or detention rarely solved student discipline problems. What did I observe? The same students were always found in the detention room and/or being suspended. In fact, many suspended students relished their day(s) off from school.

As far as corporal punishment harming the education of students, I experienced just the opposite as a K-12 educator when corporal punishment was enforced. In no way did it produce any harmful effects regarding my students’ education – they behaved and learned. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, corporal punishment solved my discipline problems in the classroom as a first-year teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools System.

The use of corporal punishment will continue to be evaluated by practitioners and educational researchers for years to come. I, for one, base my thoughts on what I learned via practical experience as a veteran K-12 educator who taught and coached in a variety of school settings for four decades.

The corporal punishment debate goes on.

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Dr. William A. Welker is a retired educator who, upon retirement, was inducted into the West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services’ Jasper N. Deahl Honors Society for exceptional career achievements.