Caning bullies is a kind of love

SIR –

THE assumption that corporal punishment is necessarily “brutal”, and its historic association with education in this country a mark of shame, deserves to be challenged.

As classroom anarchy spreads disillusionment among children and staff on a scale unparalleled in recent British history, the Biblical answer of discipline exercised in love has perhaps never been more desperately needed.

No more negotiating with the classroom bully; the mandate to enforce parental authority with proportionate punishment comes directly from New Testament scripture.

The key word is “proportionate” – and this distinguishes law enforcement from child abuse. According to the Bible, corporal punishment is a legitimate expression of love which parallels the way God deals with His children: “those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom He receives” (Hebrews, 12 v 6).

By all means blame our hedonistic culture for producing selfish young deviants, Ms St John-Brooks. But, in propounding the cause of illness, beware of proscribing the cure.

Jonathan Winch 27 St Mary's Close Shincliffe Durham

As published in the Times Educational Supplement (UK), 23 November 2001.

 

Picture credit: Sting Pictures

 

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