Corporal punishment is the use of physical force, no matter how light, with the intention of causing a child to experience bodily pain so as to correct or punish the child’s behavior. Corporal punishment remains a commonly used practice by parents around the world, but it is also used by teachers throughout the world as a means of punishing children for their misbehaviors. This entry [Page 409]first describes corporal punishment in schools and looks at its legality and prevalence. It then discusses disparities in the use of corporal punishment, the outcomes for children who are subjected to corporal punishment, and efforts to reduce corporal punishment.

School corporal punishment often includes hitting children with an object, such as a wooden paddle, stick, or whip, but also takes ...