Definition Argument Essay: Fiber Helps Ease Constipation

as disciplinary spanking that parents inflict on children is a form of child abuse. I. Deep foundations in modern culture

A. Biblical roots 1.

2.

B. Widely 1. 2. 3. 


C. Current 1. 2. 


II. Degradation of

A. Fear of 1. 2.

Corporal punishment referenced in Bible

Prominent in Christian culture accepted throughout America

Used at home and school
Parental signature for school punishment Practiced widely in public schools

situation
Reduced legality in schools

Able to use "reasonable force" parent/child relationship

parents
Afraid of messing up

Afraid of living in own home

Become shy and reserved
1. Shy away from parents 
2. Keep to themselves to avoid punishment 


B. Loss of loving/nurturing environment 
1. Do not feel loved 
2. Do not have supportive family 


III. Acceptance of violence

A. Believe violence is normal

1. See it every day 


2. Believe that violence is needed 


B. Violence in peer relationships

1. More physical in peer relationships 


2. Playfully hit other students in school 


3. Physical violence is normal 


C. Future violence in relationships

1. Domestic abuse 


2. Continue corporal punishment in next generation 


3. Vicious cycle of violence 


IV. Psychological effects 
A. Depression

A. Grow up in fear 


B. Afraid to have fun/act out 


C. No experimentation and happiness 


B. Low self-esteem

1. Question every action they make 


2. Do not learn to be confident 


3. Allow peers to emotionally abuse them as adults 


C. Higher instances of aggression

1. Do not learn how to handle aggression 


2. Only learn violence 


3. Cannot channel anger through other means 


4. Hurts future interpersonal relationships 


V. Compliant behavior modification

A. Positive behavior modification

1. Reinforces positive behavior 


2. Adopt desired behaviors 


B. Learn to control negative behaviors

1. Negative behaviors caused by disorders 


2. Control behavioral issues 


C. Carry themselves well

1. Better self control 


2. Able to cooperate in real world 


VI. At expense of child well-being 
A. Short term behavioral success

A. Fear conditions good behavior 


B. Children conform from fear 


B. Long term effects

1. Psychological problems 


2. Continued cycling violence 


C. Does not outweigh long term

1. Condemning children to future problems 


2. Violence not the answer 


3. Greater future problems 


VII. "Tried and true" method
A. Embedded in American culture 
1. Practiced since biblical times 
2. Accepted widely across America B. Created this nation 
1. Responsible for modern culture 
2. Successful in creating America 


VIII. Repetition not justifiable 
A. Factor in violence of American culture

1. Increasing violence by generation 


2. More violent culture as a whole 


IX. B. Prevalence of mental health issues

1. Recent increases 


2. Ramification of corporal punishment 


X. C. Violence cycling 


1. America growing more violent

2. Must be ended

Amanda Hamm
Professor Jacobs
English 112-20B
March 18, 2014
Definition Argument Essay

Corporal Punishment is Child Abuse
"Studies show significantly more fatal school shootings took place in states that allow

corporal punishment in schools" ("Discipline at School"). Although it is hailed as a practice in place for bettering child behavior, corporal punishment has certainly proven to be a detrimental mechanism when used on children. For centuries, children have lived in fear of the moment when they would make a mistake and be punished by being spanked with a paddle. With its origins in biblical scriptures, corporal punishment has been an important tool used in the behavior modification of children. Typically, parents use a paddle to spank their children on the behind as their form of corporal punishment; however, there are various other methods of modifying child behavior. For years, parents have literally washed out children's mouths with soap, have made their children swallow hot sauce, and have even used various, less forgiving materials in spanking such as belts and even sticks. These forms of corporal punishment have been widely accepted for centuries, but in recent years, critics have begun to voice their opinion that corporal punishment is emotionally harmful to children citing the fact that the line between corporal punishment and child abuse is often difficult to distinguish. Like child abuse, corporal punishment degrades the parent-child relationship and teaches children to fear their parents. The nurturing and loving environment that parents are expected to provide their children is destroyed,

and children grow up living in constant dread. These children also learn to accept violent behavior as a norm, and many grow up to be violent in their own relationships. Finally, children who are inflicted with corporal punishment grow up to be more at risk for psychological issues such as clinical depression, low self-esteem, and an inability to handle aggressive tendencies similar to those children who grow up in abusive households. All these effects of corporal punishment resemble those damaging effects resulting from child abuse. Because of its staggering emotional and psychological effects, corporal punishment such as disciplinary spanking is a form of child abuse. mature

The use of corporal punishment dates back to ancient theocracy and has been prevalent in every world culture that follows basic Christian doctrine. Corporal punishment, or "the use of physical force with the intent of causing a child to experience pain but not injury for the purpose of control of the child's behavior" (Barwick) was referenced to within the Bible and thus quickly became prevalent in Christian (European/American) culture. These evangelical Protestants believe that because of its prevalence within scripture, they must practice corporal punishment in order to stay in God's good graces (Block). Thus, many individuals have practiced punishments like spankings, soap-in-the-mouth, and hot saucing under the justification that it is God's will. Because it is rooted in basic Christian tradition, the use of corporal punishment has become widely accepted throughout America. Paddles became a basic necessity in every home and classroom; parents were encouraged to sign a release that would allow teachers to spank their children should they misbehave. Recently, however, there have been waves of critics emphasizing the lifelong psychological effects that spanking has on children. Staggering statistics have solidified the correlation between corporal punishment and lifelong mental disease, and thus many strides have been made to reduce the prevalence of physical punishment

·

· within America. Figure one demonstrates the number of states that, in the school year 2002- 2003, still legally supported the use of corporal

punishment within schools. Therefore, it is clear that many individuals have recognized the staggering drawbacks of corporal punishments and have modified their methods of punishment in order to better facilitate child growth and development. However, it is currently legal across America to use corporal punishment loosely referred to as "reasonable force" in physically disciplining children ("Update: Corporal Punishment"). Corporal punishment has similarly

damaging effects on a child's emotional well-being when compared to child abuse. Federal legislation defines child abuse as "[a]ny recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation" ("Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect"). Because of corporal punishment's damaging physical and most importantly emotional effects, corporal punishment is a form of child abuse.

The immediate effect of corporal punishment is the degradation of the parent-child relationship which clearly mimics the detriments suffered by children in abusive relationships at home. Children raised in homes that practice corporal punishment grow up living in fear of misbehaving in a manner that will prompt punishment. The behavioral conditioning not only teaches children to behave appropriately, but it teaches children to fear their parents as the

administration of said punishment. Therefore, this dread causes children to become shy and reserved. By shying away from their parents, children put distance between themselves and the threat and keep to themselves in order to avoid punishment. A child living perpetually in dread is clearly not developing in an emotionally healthy manner because there is no longer a loving and nurturing environment in which the child can learn and grow in. Children lose the supportive family and the feelings of love that will allow them to develop healthy mental capabilities. In "Update: Corporal Punishment," the author asserts that "parents who mete out corporal punishment to their children run the risk of fraying the parent-child relationship, which could have ruinous consequences as the child reaches adolescence." The author goes on to explain that by using different, nonphysical techniques of punishment and explaining the reasons for those consequences, parents can retain a healthier relationship with their children. By administering corporal punishments, parents condition children to believe that their parents are aggressive and callous. Children grow up in constant fear of misbehaving and lose the nurturing environment that is necessary for a child to grow into a happy, healthy adult. Because of the extreme emotional distress of a dysfunctional parent-child relationship, corporal punishment clearly falls within the parameters of child abuse. Therefore, because it degrades the parent-child relationship and puts an emotional strain on children, corporal punishment is a form of child abuse.

Corporal punishment has major, long-term ramifications for children because it teaches them that violence is normal similar to the experience children must endure when they encounter domestic abuse. Children encounter aggression from their parents each time they misbehave and believe that this violence is typical in intimate relationships. They observe their parents, their most prominent role models, administering spankings and become accustomed to this violence. Therefore, it is clear that these children grow up to be more likely to be more violent in their peer

relationships. Children who are raised in households that exercise corporal punishment are more physical in peer relationships; they are more likely to "playfully" punch and kick their friends because they think that expressions of violence in intimate relationships is normal. Recent research regarding the correlation between corporal punishment and aggressive behavior has discovered a link between physical punishment and violent behavior. Researchers found that 21% of children who had received corporal punishment normally throughout their lives demonstrated over-aggressive tendencies. The researchers note that "their results show that corporal punishment does not improve children's behavior" ("Physical Punishment Tied to Peer Aggression, Hyperactivity"), and thus the ramifications of greater aggression in children essentially cancels the compliant behavior modification corporal punishment causes. Peer relationships are not the only areas in which these children are likely to demonstrate more violent behavior. Children who are raised via corporal punishment are more likely to abuse their future families. These children are more likely to perpetuate the continued cycle of violence either in the form of domestic abuse of one's spouse and children, or the continued use of corporal punishment to emotionally and psychologically injure their own children. Thus corporal punishment instills a vicious cycle of violence that simply condemns each generation of children to a life of violence. In a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, researchers concluded that "adolescents who were more likely to engage in fighting, bullying, and victimization of others reported that their parents engaged in corporal punishment as a disciplinary method" (Ohene). With such staggering emotional consequences, it is clear that corporal punishment is an example of child abuse. By spanking one's children, not only is a parent damaging a child's ability to handle and express aggression, but they are solidifying a

cycle of aggression that will continue to pass from one generation to the next. Thus, corporal punishment is an emotion-centered form of child abuse.

The most staggering detriment of corporal punishment is the psychological effect that this form of punishment has on children exactly like those psychological detriments suffered by abused children. Children who grow up in the constant fear of physical punishment in the household become afraid to experiment and have fun. They refrain from trying new things that may be considered "acting out" by their parents, and therefore children live more isolated, monotonous lives that contribute to future depression. In a study conducted by Murray Strauss and Glenda Kantor, over two thousand families were studied to determine the prevalence of depression in households that practiced corporal punishment. The results were staggering. Researchers concluded that children growing up in these households "had an increased risk later in life of depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, alcohol abuse, physical abuse of children, and wife beating" (Straus). In addition, these children are more likely to develop low self-esteem as they develop into adolescence and adulthood. In the dread of receiving bodily harm, children question every action they make and do not learn to be confident; they fear any misbehavior that may cause later punishment. Therefore, as these children mature, they continue to allow peers to emotionally abuse and degrade them like they learned to allow as children. This inability to assert oneself and constant skepticism of oneself contributes to low self-esteem in adults who received corporal punishment as children. Finally, these adults will demonstrate higher instances of violent behavior because they do not learn as children how to handle aggressive tendencies in other ways. Children observe the only method to channel their aggression as violence, and therefore they do not learn how to channel their own anger through any other means. This aggression becomes uncontrollable and deters that individual's ability to build interpersonal

relationships as an adult and achieve success. In a study conducted by the Society for Adolescent Medicine, researchers concluded that adolescents who were victims of corporal punishment as children are more likely to develop "deteriorating peer relationships...lowered school achievement...a tendency for school avoidance and school drop-out, and other evidence of negative high-risk adolescent behavior" ("The

Impact of Corporal Punishment on Students'
Academic Performance"). A student's inability to
handle violence can condemn a child to lifetime
of lower academic and career achievement. This
idea is illustrated in Figure two where it is clear
that children growing up in households that
constantly subject them to aggression grow up to
be more violent individuals. Because they cannot channel their aggression in another way, these children will be less likely to be capable of cultivating healthy relationships free of aggression in the future. Children can never recuperate from the psychological damage inflicted by corporal punishment and therefore have suffered a form of life-altering abuse. Because it is so emotionally detrimental for a child, corporal punishment is clearly a form of child abuse.

The most compelling argument in favor of corporal punishment is the idea that when used effectively, this form of punishment causes compliant behavior modification in children; this benefit distinguishes corporal punishment from child abuse because punishment is not meant to inflict injury while abuse is specifically meant to cause injury. The conditioning produces positive behavioral changes that end the negative behavior and produces better behaviors in the future. The violence reinforces the desired behavior and helps the child form an overall better

disposition. Psychologist and author of The New Strong-Willed Child, James Dobson argues in his article "Corporal Punishment is Effective" that when used inappropriately, corporal punishment can be detrimental to a child's psychological and emotional development. However, he goes on to argue that when used effectively (i.e. when the child understands the cause of the punishment) corporal punishment is the most effective method of modifying child behavior. Additionally, for children with behavioral disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder, corporal punishment can help children learn to control these hyperactive behaviors. Nancy Shute points out this fact when she says "[i]n mild ADHD...a more organized and coherent system of discipline can make the difference in whether your kid will be on Ritalin [an ADHD behavioral medicine] or not." Therefore, corporal punishment can help a child overcome behavioral problems that often plague individuals well into early adulthood. Therefore, by utilizing corporal punishment, a child will learn to carry themselves appropriately and will be better able to exercise self control. Children who are taught through physical conditioning to behave appropriately are better prepared to act appropriately in the real world. Proponents of physical punishments for children argue that this method is in no way abusive to the child and is the most efficient at modifying child behavior.

While proponents of corporal punishment argue that this form of punishment is the best at producing compliant behavior modification in children, corporal punishment is truly child abuse because of those long term drawbacks that hurt children in the long run. Children experience short term behavioral success; they fear being punished again so they stop behaving in the manner that caused the punishment. The child conforms, and therefore the parent is pleased with the change. However, the child does not learn what behavior is acceptable; he or she simply learns to fear the behavior that caused the punishment. But what is the cost of this

short term behavioral success? The child is inflicted with long term psychological defects. As discussed earlier, children raised in homes that practice corporal punishment are more likely to be depressed, have low self-esteem, and have difficulty managing their aggressive tendencies. The short term benefit of behavior modification is not worth the future of psychological issues that parents condemn their children to when they inflict physical punishments. Violence is not the answer to behavioral problems; it only causes greater, long-term psychological drawbacks for the child. Therefore while a child may be able to learn how to behave more appropriately using corporal punishment, this form of punishment has long lasting detrimental effects that might quite literally scar a child for life. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University, there are eleven outcomes that result from corporal punishment in childhood, but they went on to remark:

"[o]nly one of those consequences-- immediate compliance with parental demands-- was viewed as positive by the researchers. The other 10-- which include antisocial behavior, the development of a violent temperament, and a deterioration in the quality of the parent-child relationship-- were all classified as negative" ("Update: Corporal Punishment").

Although corporal punishment is effective at promoting better behavior, overall the drawbacks of this form of punishment clearly outweigh the benefits. Because of the major, long term ramifications of corporal punishment, this type of punishment is a highly emotional form of child abuse.

Another argument posed by proponents justifies the use of corporal punishment because of its roots in the Bible and Christian culture; they argue that because it is used in the Bible as a behavior modification mechanism, the use of corporal punishment is in no way child abuse. The

use of corporal punishment is prevalent within the Bible and thus was readily adopted by European and American society. According to Nadine Block, the belief that children are innately sinful and must be fixed is deeply rooted in the Christian faith. Proponents argue that because it is rooted in biblical justification and years of American practice, the use of corporal punishment must be effective. According to these supporters, corporal punishment is at the root of modern culture and has been successful in taming child behavior for centuries. Therefore, these individuals argue that because it has proven to be a successful practice, the use of corporal punishment is successful and ought to continue. According to the article "Update: Corporal Punishment," supporters advocate for the use of corporal punishment as a means of molding children into "morally upstanding, God-fearing adults." With its roots deep in religion and American culture thriving off a majority Protestant demographic, corporal punishment is clearly justified due to its support in the Bible. If corporal punishment was used by the saints of the Bible, it ought to be used by morally straight individuals today. These supporters assert that because it is supported by the faiths of American culture, there is no possibility that corporal punishment is damaging enough to be considered similar to child abuse.

Although supporters argue for the continued use of corporal punishment because it has been effective for centuries, their offered "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" reasoning attempts to justify the psychological abuse of children simply because it is a widely accepted method of behavior modification. However, just because corporal punishment has been used for a long period of time ought not make it acceptable in today's culture. Violence has become a major staple in today's culture that children are subjected to on a daily basis. The household today seems to be the only safe haven from America's violent culture, but if parents continue to perpetuate this aggression in the household, children will never have a break from the ubiquitous

violence of American culture. With the vicious cycle of violence mounting with each additional generation, American culture has become increasingly violent. Moreover, perhaps the continued practice of corporal punishment is a contributing factor in the ever-increasing prevalence of mental health issues in our society. According to Everyday Health LLC, "depression rates for Americans have risen dramatically in the past 50 years" ("Stats and Facts about Depression in America"). Depression is clearly one of the most staggering effects on adults who are raised in homes that practice corporal punishment. Perhaps the increasing prevalence of depression in American culture is the direct result of the culmination of generations of the use of corporal punishment. While proponents argue that corporal punishment has got to be successful because it is a traditional practice, corporal punishment can be a major contributor to the increasingly violent tendencies of the American culture and the increase in mental disorder diagnoses. As a clear ramification of corporal punishment, it is possible that this form of punishment is at the root of these increasingly prevalent mental disorders overtaking America. Overall, proponents fail to make a compelling argument in favor of corporal punishment by simply arguing that it is a "tried and true" method. Although corporal punishment has been prevalent in American culture nearly since its conception, this is not sufficient evidence that corporal punishment is beneficial for children. Therefore, without a sound argument, supporters of this form of punishment cannot make a compelling argument that distinguishes between corporal punishment and child abuse.

Corporal punishment has been prevalent in American culture since its origin. Initially, conceptualized in Christian doctrine, the use of physical punishment to deter misbehaviors in children has been widespread in American culture for centuries. However, because it causes such detrimental psychological and emotional effects, corporal punishment ought to be considered a form of child abuse. The use of corporal punishment degrades the parent-child relationship

forcing children to live in constant fear of behaving in such a manner that will draw a physical punishment from their parents/guardians. Instead of having a loving and nurturing relationship crucial for childhood development, children are forced to grow up living in constant fear of the threat of being physically harmed. The use of corporal punishment also causes children to accept violence as a norm of intimate relationships and to integrate aggressive behaviors into their own interpersonal relationships. These children grow up to be more prone to commit spousal abuse and to abuse their own children. Finally, corporal punishment has devastating psychological drawbacks including depression, low self esteem, and the inability to handle one's own anger. Opponents argue that corporal punishment is the most effective way to promote compliant behavior modification, but this benefit cannot outweigh the various long-term drawbacks of using corporal punishment. Evangelical Protestants also hail the use of corporal punishment as a biblically justifiable practice that has been "tried and true" since the conception of America. However, just because the practice has been instituted for a long period of time does not necessarily make it acceptable. The prevalence of violence and mental health issues in American culture could be caused by the continued cycle of violence within the family manifesting in overall increased aggression across the nation. Overall, because of the psychological and emotional turmoil a child endures during and as a result of corporal punishment, this form of punishment is clearly an emotional form of child abuse. It is time to put an end to the abuse of the next generation of children. In order to cultivate a more loving and nurturing American culture, parents have got to break the cycle of violence and assist their child in living a happier, healthier life.

All of the sources in which I have used in my paper have been cited using MLA documentation. I understand that if SAFE ASSIGN identifies any sources that I used in my paper that I did not cite, I will receive a zero for this paper.
Amanda Christine Hamm March 18, 2014

Works Cited

Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Parenting:

4 Mar. 2014.
Block, Nadine. "Disciplinary Spanking Should Be Banned." Child Abuse. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes.

San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Abandon the Rod

Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

"Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect in Federal Law." Child Welfare Information Gateway. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.

"Discipline at School." The Center for Effective Discipline. The Center for Effective Discipline, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

Dobson, James. "Corporal Punishment is Effective." Parenting. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Corporal Punishment & the

Context. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
"The Impact of Corporal Punishment on Students' Academic Performance." Corporal

Punishment in Schools and Its Effect on Academic Success - Joint HRW/ACLU Statement. Human Rights Watch, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.

Ohene, Ireland, McNeely, and C. Borowsky. "Parent's Use of Physical Punishment Increases Violent Behavior Among Youth." American Psychological Association (2006): 441-447. Web. 18 March 2014.

"Physical Punishment Tied to Aggression, Hyperactivity." Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

Shute, Nancy. "Effective Discipline Will Help Some Children Avoid Behavioral Disorders."

June 2008). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
"Stats and Facts About Depression in America." Everyday Health. Everyday Health Media, LLC,

23 Jan. 2013. Web. 08 Mar. 2014.

Straus, Murray A., and Glenda Kaufman Kantor. "Corporal Punishment of Adolescents by Parents: A Risk Factor in the Epidemiology of Depression, Suicide, Alcohol Abuse, Child Abuse, and Wife Beating." Adolescence (1994).

"Update: Corporal Punishment." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts on File News Services, 22 Dec. 2006. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.