ABSOLUTELY!!!!! I am the daughter of a teacher and the niece of 3 teachers. The Bible says that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. Apparently, a great many parents have been sparing the rod, as evidenced by the current state of our public schools. Kids are being allowed to take over, and they know that there is really nothing that can be done to stop them. Principals don't support teachers; parents won't support teachers. Teachers are left out on a limb without any further recourse. If corporal punishment is brought back as an option, teachers will have more recourse, and they can spend more time teaching and less time fearing for their lives or impatiently waiting for retirement. I had one paddling, when I was in 3rd grade. One was all it took. In my day (like my day was so long ago, I'm only 28), if you got one at school, you bet you got one at home. Today's kids are running wild with no direction and no real consequences. Since many parents have left the schools in charge of raising their children, then the schools should be allowed to incorporate corporal punishment in the rearing. Perhaps if the parents would incorporate some corporal punishment, it wouldn't be necessary at school.
- Chrystal D. White, M.Ed., LAC