We should speak out against corporal punishment in our schools. Paddling kids with a board is itself child abuse, and it also promotes child abuse in our community by sending the message that it is OK for adults to hit children. Paddling creates fear in children and lowers their self-esteem. This adds to the dropout rate and lowers test scores, since students naturally lose interest in being educated in a Nazi-like atmosphere. It also humiliates and angers children, thus increasing the vandalism and violence among youth. Schools that forbid paddling are more peaceful, and the students appreciate being treated with respect. They respond in kind, by respecting their teachers and the school.
1. speak out: publicly speaking in protest about (something) 2. paddling: beating or spanking 3. vandalism: intentional damage to or destruction of property 4. psyche: soul or spirit; the human mind 5. resort to: turn to for help, often as a final option
1.How does the writer think corporal punishment affects society? 2.How does paddling affect a child’s psyche? 3.How does paddling affect children’s school life? 4.What is the relationship between paddling and vandalism?
1.Are you for or against paddling in school? Why? 2.What would you do if your child were paddled in school? 3.We often hear teachers say that they paddle their students entirely for the sake of the children’s education. Do you really believe that? Or does paddling simply reflect the teacher’s uncontrolled anger? 4.Do you spank your child at home? If so, when? If not, why not? (Conversely, have your parents ever paddled you?) 5.What are the side effects of corporal punishment? 6.Why do some teachers resort to paddling? 7.We hear teachers say that they have to paddle students in certain situations. Do you agree? Why or why not? 8.Who do you think is more responsible for a child’s education, parents or teachers?
