In my last post I mentioned the school paddle as an antiquated tool of school discipline.  A relic of the 20th---and earlier---centuries.  Interestingly, though, as I ride across the country on 'Education Ride 365' it is amazing how often I hear folks bemoan the demise of the paddle as a tool of compulsion.  If only we could bring the paddle back into use---many propose---we could instill discipline back into these kids!


I can say Mr. Phipps made an impression on me when he gave me three "licks" right outside of my eighth grade science classroom in response to my spitball attack on the space shuttle as it flew across the reel-to-reel projection screen that day in 1983.  No warning, no call to my parents, no administrative permission---> just three firm whacks on my fanny, a few repressed tears, and me limping back to my seat as amused classmates enjoyed the entertainment value of my pain over the educational value of the filmstrip.

I remember PE teachers in earlier grades who brandished their paddle daily as a means of intimidation proactively communicated.  They named them with such creative monikers as the "Hard Lesson" and the "Attitude Adjuster."  Some had holes drilled in them (using drill presses from our school's woodshop class).  These coaches bragged that the holes cut down on "wind resistance" for an even firmer whack!  Tough guys!


Setting aside the psychology-based objections to educators using paddles on children, in this post I thought I'd share a few of the very practical reasons schools for the most part don't engage in this practice any longer. 

The beginning of the end of this practice came when, responding to pressure from folks who consider paddling young people to be a form of child abuse, many districts began giving students a choice of punishment.  For instance, two "licks" or detention.  Interestingly enough, many students chose to 'get it over with' rather than take the alternate punishment.  You could no doubt guess, however, how this approach fell out of favor.  Imagine parents objecting that the student was bullied or otherwise compelled to choose the paddling because, for instance, the alternate punishment was disproportionally harsh or burdensome.  Or, that the child chose paddling before he/she knew of the 'dangers' or 'pain' involved.  On and on the recriminations from such a choice-option can go.

Another accommodation schools increasingly adopted was to get the parent's permission ahead of time.  What could go wrong then?  "Well I gave you permission to punish him, but not to abuse him.  Just look at this bruising!"  We all know some people bruise very easily.  As you can imagine, definitions of paddling versus child abuse can vary greatly when legal and other grievance processes are in place to tempt a second-guessing (or merely protective) parent.

Well, surely then, a school could have a policy allowing the parent to come up to the principal's office to administer the "licks" themselves.  Not so fast!  For one thing, (ironically) many parents who favor educators using the paddle on children would prefer not to do it themselves.  Beyond this, Child Protective Services may get involved.  Then, is the school complicit with the 'battering' parent?  This is a nightmare scenario schools simply don't need and almost universally steer away from in the 21st century.