THE EFFECTS OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT [To the Editor of THE
SPECTATOR] SIR,—The experiences of a " recipient and executioner " over- simplify the problem of corporal punishment. His implied comparison of the receiving part of the small boy's anatomy
with the cushion indicates the friendly brutality with which such punishment is usually administered when inexperienced older boys stand in judgement and punishment over younger ones.
But the not infrequent morbid results of corporal punish- ment are by no means the only reason for condemning it. The following are other important considerations : - (a) It reduces problems of misdemeanour to too simple
terms : the quid pro quo is now a dishonoured principle in any penal system.
(b) It is never right for major offences where deep elements in personality are involved. Here far more subtle and sym- pathetic treatment is indicated.
(c) It is neither necessary nor fair for minor offences which can invariably be dealt with in less painful and less dangerous ways.
(d) By leaving a satisfying impression on the executioner that " something has been done about it," the false assumption is made that the right thing has been done.
(e) The right to inflict physical pain exercised by an older adolescent on a younger adolescent assumes an understanding and experience in a boy of 17-18 which few men get before 3o. " Proved integrity of character " is not a qualification for administering punishment.
My final criticism of corporal punishment is that it does not work. If it did, we might reasonably assume that schools where it exists are more orderly and more efficient than schools where it does not. This is demonstrably untrue. The reason is that most misdemeanours are due to boredom; where the causes of boredom are removed there is no need for punishment.
Having said this I should add that the priggishness, dis- honesty and mental strain that may accompany systems which put boys " on their honour " are likely to be more dangerous than the results of corporal punishment, if the latter is not Leighton Park School, Reading.
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