Punishment and what to do

Dear reader, 
I hope you're ready for the second and last part concerning punishment. Here we go. 

1.     Report (Unicef – South Africa)

The Statistics SA General Household Survey 2011, which involved 30,000 households between July and September 2011, found that 17% of students in South Africa had experienced corporal punishment at school.

A survey by Statistics SA revealed that the use of corporal punishment in schools declined overall between 2009 and 2010, from 17% of students experiencing corporal punishment in 2009 to 14% in 2010.

The National Schools Violence Study, undertaken by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention and published in 2008 found that 70.1% of primary school learners reported that they were physically beaten, caned or spanked by an educator or principal when they had done something wrong. Almost half of primary school children (47.3%) reported being spanked, caned or hit at home.

The most severe forms were experienced by children from low income environments, in both the home and school. Schools from high income areas were generally not using corporal punishment.

2.     Opinions

I think it should be used as a form of discipline, just don't overdo it.

.... You should give a few chances and use other forms of correction and if that doesn't work then spanking is fine.  And NO it should not be illegal. Now granted there are always going to be a few idiots who take it to the extreme and actually abuse a child and in that case they should be punished, but your common everyday swat should be allowed.

It should be illegal NOT to discipline your children

I...The ones that spank have good kids - not because they spank specifically, but because they actually tell their kids NO and have a punishnment when the child doesn't listen.
I think there should be clear legislation on when spanking becomes physical abuse, but sometimes a good whack on the butt is a necessary evil.

There are so many alternatives to spanking for misbehavior; there really shouldn’t be a need for it. 

It usually is an expression of the adult’s rage and desire to express that rage, rather than a way to discipline a child.  ... You need to fit the punishment to the "crime" for it to be effective, and to spank a child for everything is useless. It only teaches them more violence.

3.     Why physical punishment is not acceptable (Prevention & Education Manual-Childline SA)

-  It teaches children that hurting others is okay.

-  It breaks down the relationship between parent and child or teacher and child.

- It may damage children physically.

- It opens the door to physical abuse.

- It is not effective in the long term

4.     Alternatives to Corporal Punishment

- Praise also encourages them to learn self-discipline.

- Lead by example.

- Don’t threaten or shout at children.

- Be respectful

- Negotiate a compromise. Children learn by doing

- Help them to set their own ideals and vision.

- Help them gain their self-esteem by acknowledging increased responsibility in behavior and attitude.

-  Identify unacceptable behaviours with teens and ask them to assist in identifying appropriate consequences.

5.     The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Children have the right to:

- SURVIVAL: the right to life and health.

- PROTECTION: the right to be safe and cared for.

- DEVELOPMENT: the right to an education, recreation, cultural activities, and play.

- PARTICIPATION: the right to participate responsibility in decisions affecting them, according to their age and maturity.

Thanks to Wikipedia.