By Londeka Ngubane, Sazelo Mkhize, Sogo Angel Olofinbiyi

I n educational context, the term corporal or physical punishment refers to the use of physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort for discipline, correction, and control, changing behavior or in the belief of educating/bringing up the child(Naz, Daraz, Khan; Hossain & Khan (2011). Dar (2012) annotates that corporal punishment is ‘the intentional application of physical pain as method of behaviour change’. It comprises a wide variation of methods such as ‘hitting, slapping, spanking, punching, kicking, pinching, shaking, shoving, choking, use of various objects (i.e., wooden paddles, belts, sticks, pins, or others), painful body postures (such as placing in closed spaces), use of electric shock, use of excessive exercise drills, or prevention of urine or stool elimination’ (Dar 2012). In the context of criminology, corporal punishment refers to some manner of physical punishment inflicted by judicial order on the body of an offender (Naz et al 2011).Majority of children in South Africa have experienced physical punishment by the time they reach adolescence though it was legally abolished in 1996.

Reaserch Gate, 2022, 14p.

By Murray A. Straus, Emily M. Douglas and Rose Anne Medeiros

Why do parents hit those they love? What effect does it have on children? What can be done to end this pattern? These are some of the questions explored in The Primordial Violence. Featuring longitudinal data from over 7,000 U.S. families as well as results from a 32 nation study, the book presents the latest research on the extent to which spanking is used in different cultures and the subsequent effects of its use on children and on society. Evidence that shows the relationship between spanking and the subsequent slowing of cognitive development and increase in antisocial and criminal behavior is shown. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are explored in an accessible fashion. An abundance of high quality research has produced findings that are highly consistent from study to study which show that spanking is a risk factor for aggressive behavior and other social and psychological problems. Because of these findings, the authors argue for policy changes and recommend a drastic reduction in the use of spanking. Policy and practical implications are explored in most chapters.

Routledge, 2013. 432p.