This article examines corporal punishment in U.S. public schools, proposes a national conversation regarding its use, and advocates for a national policy to promote nonviolent discipline methods and prohibit corporal punishment of children in educational settings. The United States remains one of the few postmodern societies without a national…

The value of physical or corporal punishment is disputed among psychologists; most regard it as harmless, although a subgroup of researchers has controversially suggested that parental use of physical punishment may be causally related to the development of aggression. Thus, the psychological community appears to have separated into determined…

Parental discipline appears to play a major role in the development of delinquent and aggressive behavior. The belt theory predicts that parents who have used corporal punishment are likely to produce children who exhibit delinquent behavior. A striking factor is that all delinquent youths see corporal punishment as necessary in child rearing and…

Authors of childrearing texts suggest that punishment is a horrifying experience having no positive influence on human relations. Authors of psychology texts are not as opposed but indicate that punishment is not appropriate when one attempts to help children. While some researchers denounce the use of punishment, they also invite further…

Describes investigation utilizing data from panel study of 332 midwestern families to examine impact of harsh corporal punishment and quality of parental involvement on adolescent outcomes of aggressiveness, delinquency, and psychological well-being. Suggests that corporal punishment was not related to adolescent outcomes when effect of parental…

Provides an overview of physical and chemical castration and its use in controlling sex offenders. Discusses castration and sexual aggression, then focuses on the use of therapeutic physical castration in dealing with those who display unacceptable sexual behaviors. Details legal and ethical issues and the efficacy of testosterone-lowering…

This paper reviews selected literature focusing on the general psychological theme of discipline, relates findings to educational contexts, and makes recommendations about how problems of discipline and punishment of children can be resolved in schools. Three approaches to discipline are identified: punishment, control by enforcing obedience, and…

Adolescent maltreatment is not a well-recognized problem in our society. However, in 2001, child protective service agencies reported that 25% of the substantiated cases of abuse occurred among youths 12 to 17 years old. This article provides an overview of the research on adolescent maltreatment. (Contains 1 table.)

Suggests several intervention qualities (punishment, catharsis, and cohabitation) characteristic of approaches that do and do not yield violence-reducing outcomes. Proposes more effective perspectives on youth violence intervention including complexity, prescriptiveness, situationality, and aggression-as-learned behavior. (Author/JDM)

In their efforts to reduce school violence and student misbehavior, too often schools and school authorities contribute to the potential for violence by sanctioning or ignoring practices that victimize children. Reviews concerns pertaining to this issue. Argues that school psychologists should become more involved in prevention programs and in the…

Controversies continue regarding the effects of corporal punishment on children. Research has demonstrated an association between levels of corporal punishment and negative outcome behaviors such as aggression and other mental health problems. However, most of these studies have been cross-sectional and correlational in design, thereby precluding…