Still, regarding its use in schools, where it is practiced it is justified by many supporters that "teachers may have overcrowded classrooms and lack resources such as counselors to assist with particularly disruptive students or classroom dynamics" and thus it is necessary (More than 200,000 kids spanked at school, 2008, CNN.com). Little data exists upon issues of race and corporal punishment -- is corporal punishment in schools mainly administered by white administrators against black students? Against same-race administrations against same-race students? This dynamic could increase its pejorative institutional effects. Also, questions of race and religion, if certain races or religions are more apt to spank demands further analysis, although most 'pro-spanking' groups tend to be evangelical, southern, and Protestant in focus, reflecting the demographic composition, in short, of states where spanking is still tolerated in schools. Of the data that does exist regarding demographics, boys are more apt to receive corporal punishment for the same infractions than girls, and African-American boys are more apt to be spanked than Caucasian females a rate of 16:1 (Gregory 1995, p.1). But there is little data as to exactly how punishment is administered in different schools, anecdotally some involve authority figures: "twisting children's arms; banging their heads on desks; ramming them up against lockers or walls; and punching, slapping, kicking, and shaking them into submission. Instruments that reportedly have been used to inflict CP include wooden paddles, rubber hoses, leather straps and belts, switches" (Gregory 1995, p.1). Supporters of corporal punishment state they are against its misuse, and these methods or examples of physical punishment for minor infractions should not be used as an argument against the practice entirely. Opponents state that the existence of corporal punishment fosters aggression and hostility in the hearts of helpless students, and the availability...

For example, are cultures with more harsh disciplinary techniques against children more apt to produce children who are aggressive and respond positively to spanking in schools? Interestingly, while religious preferences for corporal punishment are well-documented, this is not the case for race and/or ethnicity. Further awareness about these characteristics would illuminate the causation/correlation debate, the question as to whether certain regional or ethnic cultures are more supportive of spanking, and questions about bias in administrating corporal punishment in school.
Works Cited

Gregory, James F. (1995). The crime of punishment: Racial and gender disparities in the use of corporal punishment in U.S. public schools. The Journal of Negro Education.

Retrieved February 15, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3626/is_199510/ai_n8721467

Is corporal punishment an effective means of discipline? (2002, June 26). American

Psychological Association (APA) Press Release. Retrieved February 15, 2009 at http://www.apa.org/releases/spanking.html

More than 200,000 kids spanked at school. (2008, August 28). CNN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2009 at http://www.cnn.com/2008/U.S./08/20/corporal.punishment/

Starr, Linda (2002). Teaching violence through violence Education World. Retrieved February 15, 2009 at http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/starr/starr051.shtml

Corporal punishment