Does corporal punishment work? A plethora of Psychologist and children's organizations say no.

 We are all familiar with the expression "Spare the rod and spoil the child." This biblical passage has been interpreted by many religious organizations, churches, and parents to suggest that a good spanking is necessary for the proper rearing of children. After all, it say so in the bible.

This interpretation of the scriptures, however, has been under attack as a result of overzealous spanking or flogging of children, which is seen as nothing more than child abuse.

Some sees the administering of corporal punishment as retribution, frustration letting by adults, and among other thing, corporal punishment has been linked to a kind of sexual perversion.

There're two main facets to corporal punishment: a form of punishment in the school and in the home, and a form of punishment for committing crime. Our focused here is on children at school and in the home.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

Some scholars say that in Proverbs 13-24, "Spare the rod  and spoil the child." The word "rod," was translated from the Hebrew word "Shebet," which refers to the "authority of God" not corporal punishment.

Advocates of banning corporal punishment point to statistics. These numbers show that between one and two thousand children die every year from corporal punishment, 142,000 are seriously injured, and 1800 are permanently disabled.

In the face of these numbers, it's hard for the advocates of corporal punishment to make a case that it has any disciplinary benefit.

As a matter of fact they're drowned out by the preponderance of notable organizations that opposes it.

To date Europe, Canada, Briton, and Asia has banned corporal punishment. Going back to 2003, some 28 States in The U.S had banned corporal punishment in schools. Those remaining are mainly in the southern states.

Public Opinion

Despite this trend in outlawing of corporal punishment. Public opinion in the U.S is split on the issue by a 49 to 46 percent in favor of corporal punishment.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics "Corporal punishment is of limited effectiveness and has potentially deleterious side effects."

It is believed that corporal punishment is ineffective. Because usually it is handed out to repeat offenders.

 There's the belief that while the practice may produce short-term results. In the long-term it increases the probability of violence, resentment, and a desire to strike back. But it does not, in their opinion, teach a child appropriate behavior.

There're those who believe children that are spanked have, lower I.Q and grow up to be domestic abusers. It has even been suggested by a German psychologist that sadism and machosim develops from spanking of children. Sigmund Freud debunked this notion.