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More specifics needed on alternatives to corporal punishment
8/10/2009
AS a strong advocate for the retention of corporal punishment in schools, this writer is following with keen interest the ongoing discussion in the media concerning the subject. Readers may recall that nine years ago this writer provided statistics of the thousands of suspensions and expulsions in Britain following the abolition of corporal punishment in schools in 1986. But the more disturbing factor was that five and six-year-old children were also included in those expulsions and suspensions.
Since what happens in the North Atlantic, particularly Britain, has a way of appearing later in Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean, this writer gave a timely warning to Barbados not to follow the example of the Mother Country.
It is unfortunate that a subject which should generate both lively and serious dialogue now seems to be slithering in to personal and subjective insinuations by some of those persons who oppose corporal punishment. It also evident that another group is frozen in time to the 40’s and 50’s when corporal punishment was the panacea for all short comings. But Barbados has long moved past that era!
In the Barbados Advocate of April 26 2009, Rev. William Cuke writes: “What disturbs me are the terms used to describe corporal punishment by those who argue against it. For example, terms such as ‘Organised Brutality’ and such like clearly reveal that those who are against it view Corporal Punishment differently to those who are in favour of it... The one administering punishment should do so in love and without any anger or resentment”
This writer is in total agreement with the goodly pastor.
In another section of the press on May 26, 2009 Peter Dottin responds to George Griffith’s call to ban corporal punishment on March 22, 2009. He states inter alia : “I find it most interesting when Mr. Griffith said that ‘Rational and enlightened thinking should suggest to us that flogging defenceless children in homes and schools across Barbados is doing no more than preparing them for the day or occasion when they, too, will do the same to others’
He continues: “Have you, Mr. Griffith, used violence as means of showing your domination? If not why have you been spared the inevitable root result of the type of discipline you received both at home and at school? The very type of discipline you are now trying to suggest will do nothing but harm our young people.”
This writer compliments Everton Pollard for his searching and thought-provoking questions in the other daily of April 28 2009. These questions were directed to George Griffith following his comments therein on April 22 2009.
1. “Is flogging a young girl to prevent her from having an unwanted pregnancy a ‘systematic crime and violence’ but giving her an abortion at 12 years old a wholesome act?
2. Can you tell us how many young persons have gone to prison or the mental institution because they were flogged at school or home as compared to those who went because of drugs?
3. Can you tell us parents and teachers at least four other alternatives to use to bring our children in line?
4. Will you please encourage Minister if Health Donville Inniss to ask doctors not to inflict pain, hurt and psychological trauma on children and adults too by ‘sticking’ them with an injection needle?
This writer and many readers are still awaiting George Griffith’s response to these queries.
Among the antagonists of corporal punishment, the most persuasive case comes from Rennette M. Dimmott, a forensic psychologist and consultant. She records her support for the Minister of Education the Hon. Ronald Jones and George Griffith. She also advances two sanctions which may be unknown to our system.
These are developing a task that allows the child to work in front of the class when he or she does not want to after the punishment, and behavioural modifications programmes.
But what happens if the child refuses to work but rather plays the clown in front of the class? Some children may take this opportunity to distract and disturb the class.
And what are behavioural modification programmes? Are teachers equipped to develop these programmes?
It is most unfortunate that Dimmott did not elaborate by giving examples of such programmes. There is certainly a need here for specificity over generalisations as both principals and teachers are eager to explore viable alternatives to the rod.
This writer again admonishes Barbados not to bow to the pressures of the North Atlantic and concludes with another quotation from Peter Dottin: “Using corporal punishment is simply a tool…I might add, that has been used quite successfully in Barbados for several years and has produced some most excellent gentlemen such as Mr. Griffith despite his talk about the memories the floggings he or she received and its effects on him.”
John Blackman S.C.M.
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