To anyone whose early education may have existed under the threat of physical/corporal punishment (strapping, whipping, caning), the current debate about the effects of such "rods of corrections", in our society, are ongoing.

We can all share stories, not at all hilarious, like personal ones of the Latin teacher, with a rocket arm delivering the chalk eraser at the head of a student, whose translation of Cicero wasn't going too well.**
Others , in primary schools, hereabouts, remember a belt over a teacher's shoulder, with a lesson plan, in hand, as part and parcel of early education.

What do we make of the current state of affairs?

NOW:
Corporal Punishment Seen As Vital
Many J'cans believe beating children with sticks, belts necessary to help them grow well

Despite increased efforts to reduce child abuse in recent years, many Jamaicans still see corporal punishment, including the use of sticks and fists to beat children, as an acceptable parenting practice.
The latest Reproductive Health Survey (RHS) shows that the sentiment is stronger among females, with 56 per cent in the 15 to 49 age group compared to a little over 43 per cent of males whose ages range from 15 to 24 years who believe that physical punishment is necessary to raise children well.

Observer: Read More @:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Corporal-punishment-seen-as-vital_11563399


Spanking Alternatives Being Reviewed

The education ministry is taking another look at alternative methods of discipline that are being introduced in the country's schools to assist teachers with classroom management.

The move comes against the background of complaints from teachers and school principals who are struggling to address the wayward behaviour of some of their students.

Despite its being banned by law, some teachers have contended that corporal punishment is the most effective way to control some of the behavioural problems they face in the classroom.

Some of them, particularly principals and teachers, have argued that they have not been provided with effective alternatives to corporal punishment. They maintain that students have become more disruptive, are poorly socialised, and need flogging to keep them in check.

The alternatives to corporal punishment have been formally introduced to some educators through workshops and brochures. However, the ministry wants all teachers to be familiar with these alternatives, which include the provision of counselling to students involved in fights and other misdemeanours; the withdrawal of privileges; time-outs and community service.

Observer: Read More @:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Spanking-alternatives-being-reviewed_13114431


Some Random Views on the Nature of EDUCATION: (from the Latin**: ‘to lead out’, ‘to draw out’ and ‘to bring forth’. The innate powers of the individual should be properly cared and given scope to develop. Each and every child has the innate powers. It should be located and proper education to be provided to develop.)

"No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure." ~Emma Goldman

"The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together." ~Eric Hoffer

"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think—rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men."
~Bill Beattie

Sometimes bending the tree while young requires some corporal punishment.While I do not have any statistics at hand most people who got flogging at school and home while growing up still think its a preferred way to grow children.Looking back, its easy to see that there was a higher level of discipline in the society.

Culture plays a big part on which method of discipline works best in a particular society.There are a number of so called educator and psychologist who blinded by expediency think that what disciplinary method works in one country will necessarily work in others.

Some of what we are talking about here is all in the mind. So we ask the world what is more wholesome and filling, a bowl of red peas soup, dumpling and yam or a hamburger ?

This should not be a discussion in this day and age. Yes some systems and parents still live the horror of there up bringing and will now pass it on to their children and so on. Teachers should not and do not have the right to assault students nor does the education system. Holy anger management issues. Suspension, detention, education and compassion. The only time I was hit by a school official was in Jamaica and it didn't teach me discipline, it made me mad and I wanted to hurt that person, I was 7 years old. Leave it up to parents to be more accountable for raising better humans not a school board. Still, I feel for those children that have to suffer the wrath of a Jamaican up bringing. Don't deny we like to hit even beyond what would be considered discipline and I have been a witness to those extreams. Been there, not doing that. 1love

Here are two recent gut-wrenching letters, in our local J'can newspapers, from fellow citizens representing pros & cons of corporal punishment for disciplinary purposes heaped upon school-age children.

The falsely stated biblical injunction, "Spare the rod and spoil the child", seems to be a reigning philosophy for physically disciplining "wayward" children...consciously stamping approval for such a brutal practice.

If, in fact, corporal punishment is a form of "violence", and we accept the premonition that "violence breeds violence and hatred breeds the same"...is this any way (example) to inculcate peace and love among the young?

Observer:Corporal Punishment an Absolute Necessity
www.jamaicaobserver.com/pfversion/Corporal-punishment-an-absolute-necessity_1313 4719


Should flogging be seen as a means to an end? I think not. Flogging is reminiscent of slavery, and I strongly believe that other means of punishment should be adopted to change the mindset of the offending student.

I also believe flogging is an act of brutality and doesn't necessarily remedy the intending purpose to which it is directed.

While flogging is an act of punishment, should we flog our students for being late on arrival at school? Should we flog for non-compliance in preparing homework, talking in class, not having the required attire, for using cellphones, or for simply not paying attention?

Even if they were caught in any situation warranting punishment, should they be flogged? Shouldn't mediation and/or counselling be preferred? Aren't there any other means of punishment?

Gleaner: Flogging Students Isn't The Answer
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121205/letters/letters1.html


For those prone to reading their various bibles, literally, in spite of differing translations and advances in societal norms (including sanctions against slavery & polygamy), could other lessons about the "rod" be updated for our reflection:

A rod could most certainly be referring to a simple stick. In fact in the scriptures, sheepherder's used sticks, called rods- but even those rods, when we look at them more closely were more than a simple stick. The rod that a sheepherder used was used to protect his flock. He would use his stick to beat off those animals who wished to attack his sheep. Shepherds also had a staff, sometimes referred to as a rod, which they used to guide and move their sheep to safety...they didn't actually use their rods to beat their sheep, but to protect and guide them.

Is it possible that the common understanding of the scripture, "he that spareth the rod, hateth his son" is not really talking about hitting our children with sticks, but is in fact telling us that we MUST guide our children. Could it also be saying that if we neglect to teach, train, guide, chasten, subdue, purify, refine, and discipline our children that we are not loving them the way we should?

To me these scriptures are not a license to hit children with foreign objects. Quite the contrary, they are an admonition that it is imperative to raise our children, to teach them, and to do it well. We must not be afraid to tell them if they are doing something that is wrong, even if it hurts us to correct them. Maybe we are expected...to have the strength to tell our children when their behavior is inappropriate. Maybe sometimes it is more important that we teach our children correct principles than make them feel good about every choice they make. Maybe he who hateth his son is the man (or woman) who leaves them to themselves, or lets them do whatever they would like without our input, love, approval and teaching.

To me the rod is much deeper than a simple wooden object. It is guidance, love, discipline, and reproof. To me this rod also refers to the rod that a sheepherder used to protect his flock- we must protect our children from those things that would harm them- not bad days and hurt feelings- but predators and evil things that could destroy them.

When I understand more the language and the history behind the scriptures, they make so much more sense to me. We are expected to guide our children and teach them things that are correct. Maybe if we try harder to do this, hitting them with sticks will be less of a need. At least I hope so.
--Sarah Clark (from Mama Birth)

I too would like to say no to abuse. In this day and age, knowledge has increased and people aught to know better. Back in the days, many parents would take their frustration out on their kids and the kids grew up to hate them. Likewise, teachers or administrators should not be allowed to take their anger out on the innocent students. Teachers do study Psychology and should know better. Everyone learn at a different pace and if there are disciplinary problems within the school, there are ways other than corporal punishment, to deal with the situation. Inflict a child with beating and belittle him and he will see you as a monster. Surround him with gentle chastisement and love and you will forever be a star in his crown.

Fear. pain and humiliation, tools for controlling unwilling workers on the plantation.

Have we been passing these on after slave paper bun?

Later can be greater.

leave a Child to his or her own devise and they will bring their parents shame.

Children have a mind of their own. They are capable of differentiating good from evil.If they want to go in the wrong direction it's all up to them, regardless of spanking or no spanking.I do not see how leaving them to their own device will bring their parents shame. If you look at it from the other side of the fence you could also say, 'abuse children and they will hate you for life'.
Just my opinion. I am open to rebuttals.....

Are we getting outside of the new guidelines here?

We're going to close this thread. Those who wish to continue discussing this issue are sure to find plenty of other places to do so with a simple Google search. While we're not associated with them and can't say for sure, Jamicans.com may be a site that is welcoming to such topics.