Banning Corporal Punishment of Children: An ACEI Position Paper

Childhood is a unique and critical stage of life. All children share the same basic needs for safety, health, nurturance, and dignity. The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is committed to supporting children's development; respecting individual differences; helping children learn to live and work cooperatively; and promoting children's physical and mental health, self-worth, resiliency, education, academic competence, self-control, and responsibility. Corporal punishment conflicts with these goals and has no place in any child's life. This article provides the definition of corporal punishment, discusses worldwide initiatives for banning corporal punishment, cites the consequences of corporal punishment, and discusses the alternatives to corporal punishment.