Adopted by the IASSW Board of Directors on November 7, 1990

IASSW endorses the position that corporal punishment is damaging and inappropriate; therefore, it must be prohibited in all educational settings.

Corporal punishment is physically and emotionally harmful to children. In some cases it results in physical injury severe enough to require medical attention. Corporal punishment lowers a child's self-concept and trust in adults. In many cases, it teaches children that physical violence is an acceptable means of solving problems. Research indicates the use of corporal punishment is a contributing factor to poor academic achievement, higher dropout and truancy rates and an increase in incidents of violence.

Corporal punishment is a common method of discipline used in many schools. The continued use of corporal punishment does not force school systems to explore more effective forms of discipline. Currently, the State of Illinois has no law against corporal punishment. However, as of 1989, nineteen other states have banned corporal punishment in schools.

IASSW encourages the exploration and implementation of effective alternative forms of discipline as well as legislation to ban the use of corporal punishment in schools. Therefore, IASSW supports the position that corporal punishment should not be used in any educational settings.

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Updated on: September 22, 2009