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Corporal punishment has been a factor in adolescent life across the western world for centuries. However, while nations in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean freely use it, it is banned in twenty three countries, including all of Europe. Indeed, parts of the United States and the Czech Republic are two of the few developed countries that still allow corporal punishment in schools. Even nations such as The Philippians and China have passed laws against Corporal Punishment in schools.

At home, it is officially outlawed in many countries, while more are pressing for it to be banned. Indeed, the United Nations passed a resolution in 1980 that 'Juveniles shall not be subject to corporal punishment.'

However, one must ask why so many countries have abandoned corporal punishment. The psychological aspects have been touched on, but I feel the legal and personal areas need to be touched upon, as well as the effectiveness of corporal punishment.

The Australian Psychological Society reported that corporal punishment was ineffective at best, and at worst encouraged undesirable behaviour such as forming 'delinquent groups'. This speaks against the effectiveness of the technique in both schools and at home.

Furthermore, the American Academy of Paediatrics reported that in order to achieve any results, the level of force must be raised over time in order for it to remain effective. This can, naturally, lead to child abuse and injury to the child.

Legally, the issue has always been what is considered acceptable corporal punishment. This problem is an issue especially in schools where classification as to what is considered a punishable offence is never universally agreed upon. To use an Australian example, principles in Queensland were left to their own devices in choosing which offences were punishable. Thus, it is not surprising to learn that some abolished it altogether, while others used it for numerous minor infractions. This irregularity is a major problem with corporal punishment; it cannot be easily monitored even in schools, and abuses are bound to occur. The question that must be asked therefore is where corporal punishment becomes child abuse. The fact this question even needs to be asked speaks against the use of punishment, especially in schools. A study found that 40% of parents were afraid they went too far when punishing a child, and the dangers of abusing a child are well known.

Cases of students suing schools and parents for corporal punishment have also been noted. In these cases, the punishment has been shown to have had a negative effect on mental health.

A further issue with corporal punishment is the growing public awareness of deviants and sexual predators. The current regulations and rules in place at schools helps limit the attentions of paedophiles, though it of course needs constant attention. Allowing teachers to choose to punish children leaves the way open for abuse of the system, victimisation of the students targeted, and the potential of corruption open.

In short, corporal punishment is neither truly effective at either home or at schools, and is wide open to abuse. The abolition of corporal punishment in many developed nations, as well as reports by noted groups has shown corporal punishment to be harmful to the mental health of children.