Good Example Of Essay On Corporal Punishment: Response

Response 1: Candace Smith

It is indeed true that many people who spank their kids in America today are often looked down on. As you have written, the primary reason for this may be because many people do not really understand what the intention of spanking is or the consequence that it is supposed to bring about. Sociologists have often associated corporal punishment with delinquent behavior, and I love how you have emphasized that delinquent behavior in children who are exposed to corporal punishment does not come automatically. As you have stated, it is only when the corporal punishment is administered in a severe manner by an unresentful parent that it later leads to conduct problems in the child. Simply put, the development of delinquent behavior is contingent on several other factors and not just corporal punishment alone. I am in full agreement with your suggestion that other disciplinary tactics should be explored before corporal punishment is used. In addition, there needs to be legal checks to ensure the corporal punishment does not turn to abuse.

Response 2: Andrea Waters

I am in agreement that when looking at corporal punishment, it is important to also explore how often parents result to this form of punishment and not just focus on the proportion of time during which parents employ this discipline strategy. Doing this would perhaps shed more light on the real intention of the parent or what the parent hopes to achieve by using physical punishment. Both Patterson’s coercion model and the social control theory seem to indicate that corporal punishment may in one way or another lead to delinquency of the child and these are aspects that you have touched on. I also like how you have incorporated an aspect of culture to your discussion, particularly the discussion about African American mothers and how they believe that by punishing their children physically, they are saving them from future clashes with legal authorities. This has added a new dimension to the concept of corporal punishment showing that culture actually influence its practice in the society.

References

Morris, S. Z., & Gibson, C. L. (2011). Corporal punishment’s influence on children’s aggressive and delinquent behavior. Criminal justice and behavior, 38(8), 818-839.
Simons, R.L., Simons, L.G., and Wallace, L.E. (2004). Families, Delinquency, and Crime: Linking Society’s Most Basic Institution to Antisocial Behavior. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury. (ISBN 1- 931719-30-6).