Return to Corporal Punishment in Australian Schools?

**CountArach** · 06-15-2007, 03:25

Ahhh, how I loathe the Howard Government, especially Tony Abbott...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=273287

Abbott suggests corporal punishment return
Friday Jun 15 08:35 AEST
Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott has suggested a return to corporal punishment to ensure discipline returns to schools.

The comments came after Mr Abbott watched footage of a vicious attack on a Melbourne schoolgirl.

The grainy vision from a mobile phone showed a teenage girl repeatedly kicked in the head and body by two other teenagers.

Mr Abbott was alarmed by the footage and said it showed that current methods of discipline in schools were not working.

"I mean, we've taken corporal punishment out of the schools because we think that's brutal and yet our playgrounds seem to be becoming more brutal than ever," the minister told the Nine Network.

"Maybe a little bit more discipline in the schools would prevent some of the ugliness that we've just seen."

Mr Abbott said it was a different situation in his day.

"When I was a kid at school, if you got up to mischief you were punished, not severely, but never-the-less you were punished."

Victoria Police have cautioned two teenage girls over the assault which took place last year in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Yeah and while we are at it, lets bring back the NAZIs.

Seriously, this sickens me. The idea that we should beat children to stop bullying is ridiculous. There are better ways to solve problems than to use violence to stop violence. That just leads to situations where the children resent and hate school.

I can understand why he is saying this, I am not denying that there is violence in the playground, but seriously? Bringing back the cane?

Also did anyone notice that this is Tony Abbott talking? Our minister of HEALTH, not our Education Minister.

**Devastatin Dave** · 06-15-2007, 03:30

There were a lot less shootings in our public schools when teachers could beat that ass and have a little prayer in the morning. Coincidence? maybe, but kids knew who was in charge. BRING BACK THE WHACK!!!

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 06-15-2007, 04:14

I have no inherent objections to punishment of by and for corporals.

**Gawain of Orkeny** · 06-15-2007, 04:24

Coincidence? maybe, but kids knew who was in charge. BRING BACK THE WHACK!!!

Especially now days when teachers need more than ever to be able to defend themselves.

Its not like their torturing the kids. I always prefered a little smack than being sent to the principles office. My dad hit a lot harder.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 06-15-2007, 04:51

Victoria Police have cautioned two teenage girls over the assault which took place last year in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Gee, could that be it?
*Smacks random Australian Government Authority*
You think maybe the police should prosecute them?
How can there be any doubt in Australia about this?
You have a vicious attack, and it isn't even punished, and then we need more ruler whackings in school? Isn't the idea that those scum be prosecuted to the full extent of the law obvious?

Crazed Rabbit

**CountArach** · 06-15-2007, 05:33

You have a vicious attack, and it isn't even punished, and then we need more ruler whackings in school? Isn't the idea that those scum be prosecuted to the full extent of the law obvious?

One would think so, but our Governments have a track record of being incompetent.

**AntiochusIII** · 06-15-2007, 06:40

Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave

There were a lot less shootings in our public schools when teachers could beat that ass and have a little prayer in the morning.

Actually, no.

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Isn't the idea that those scum be prosecuted to the full extent of the law obvious?

Not to Mr. Abbott, apparently.

**CountArach** · 06-15-2007, 06:44

Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave

There were a lot less shootings in our public schools when teachers could beat that ass and have a little prayer in the morning. Coincidence? maybe, but kids knew who was in charge. BRING BACK THE WHACK!!!

Just thought I would mention we have no prayers in schools and strict gun controls, as well as no corporal punishment... and we have very, very few school shootings. Usually those that occur are not from the students themselves.

**Ignoramus** · 06-15-2007, 08:06

We definitely need corporal punishments back in schools. When students realise that there are painful consequences to their actions(not just getting suspended, which half of them couldn't care less about anyway), they will think more carefully about their actions and respect others, and most importantly, respect teachers.

However, the main problem is the lack of discipline at home. With governments all over the place bring in "anti-smacking" laws, parents are basically stripped of their right to discipline their children. That is why levels of violence, particulary in young people is increasing; they have no respect for authority anymore.

**CountArach** · 06-15-2007, 08:16

We definitely need corporal punishments back in schools. When students realise that there are painful consequences to their actions(not just getting suspended, which half of them couldn't care less about anyway), they will think more carefully about their actions and respect others, and most importantly, respect teachers.

No, this breeds rebellion and contempt. Instead the root cause of the issue should be found and dealt with. I don't know what it is, but it as to be there. Hitting the children will not do anything.

However, the main problem is the lack of discipline at home. With governments all over the place bring in "anti-smacking" laws, parents are basically stripped of their right to discipline their children. That is why levels of violence, particulary in young people is increasing; they have no respect for authority anymore.

I agree with you on anti-smacking laws, but I find your dea that parents have a "right" to discipline their children to be really unusual. What gives them that right?

**Samurai Waki** · 06-15-2007, 08:23

Hows about instead of going off and blaming the School System or Parents for lack of Disciplining their kids. We just go and

-ram the Perpetrators with a Felony Case, Charge them as an adult and send those mother

's to a "Civil Work Camp" for 6 mo. (and not Jail or anything to do with Prison...I mean tough, dirty, sweaty labour for 12 hours a day 7 days a week.)

**ajaxfetish** · 06-15-2007, 21:19

Originally Posted by CountArach

I agree with you on anti-smacking laws, but I find your dea that parents have a "right" to discipline their children to be really unusual. What gives them that right?

The right to discipline is attached to the responsibility to raise. If parents weren't expected to feed, clothe, educate, etc. their children, they wouldn't have the right to discipline them either.

Anyhow, if we bring back corporal punishment, we'll just be desensitizing the poor kids to violence. Next thing you know they'll start bringing their own rulers to school, and there'll be no way to stop the downward spiral. We must protect children from reality if they are to grow up into decent, functional adults.

Ajax