Japan bans the corporal punishment of children (12)

3 March, 2020

Dear Obinna,

I respectfully disagree with your view that children distinguish between corrective and abusive corporal punishment. At the end of the day, what one may see as an effective outcome, e.g. the child will not make the same mistake twice, is driven by fear and hurt.

Regardless of the growing evidence that systematic corporal punishment has long term consequences, the notion that it is reasonable to physically hurt children as a form of discipline, while applying the same treatment and logic to adults is seen as abuse, degrading treatment and violence by those that don’t shy away from corporal punishment for their children, is illogical and contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Just because they are small and may not be able to reason like adults doesn’t mean they should be subjected to physical pain and humiliation to learn the rules of life. In fact, precisely because they are small, more vulnerable and less able to reason and understand, should they enjoy more protection.

Respectfully yours,

Marcus Stahlhofer

Sent from my iPhone

CHIFA profile: Marcus M Stahlhofer is Adviser, Child and Adolescent Rights, Dept. of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, World Health Organization, Geneva. www.who.int/childadolescenthealth/en stahlhoferm AT who.int