OPINION: A child beaten today could be impaired for life

Sir Frank Peters :

Bangladesh could have amazing bridges, transportation systems, and other top-notch infrastructures that people would come to admire in awe.

It could even get the platinum award for being the most advanced nation on earth.

But if the Bengal people are unhappy, have mental health issues, and need medication to get by, all these man-made structures are of little to no value.

Corporal punishment given to children is attributed to many ailments they suffer – mental and physical – when adults.

It’s true that children need to be taught a lesson when they make mistakes, just like a toy train needs to be put back onto the tracks when it’s tipped over.

But beating children isn’t right – it’s downright cruel, disgusting and inhuman.

Whenever a parent, teacher or imam hits a child, love and respect for the performer fades or is lost.

If someone slaps you on the face, you’re unlikely to forget it, irrespective of the nice kiss-and-make-up words that pursue.

Noble son of Bangladesh and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) who abhorred corporal punishment (and despised those who performed it) tried educating the world when he said: “To discipline means to teach, not to punish”.

Let’s pause here, momentarily, to bring into focus the benefits of corporal punishment.

It won’t take long. It is a scientific fact – there are none!
There is, however, evidence in abundance to show that corporal punishment isn’t effective, it’s bad for kids’ growth, and it actually makes the behaviour of children worse.

There are so many written reports it’s shameful and reprehensible that so many trees gave their lives for the cause.

According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, a vast body of research has shown that corporal punishment has a number of negative consequences-both short-term and long-term.

A damaged child today is the broken adult of tomorrow.

(The writer is an Honorary Member of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters and an esteemed foreign friend of Bangladesh).