Total Number of Pages: 4
Suggested Title: Discipline Children without Corporal Punishment, Including in Schools and Childcare Facilities
Resolution #3087: Prohibit Corporal Punishment in Schools and Childcare Facilities - Amend and Readopt
General Church Budget Implications: None
Global Implications: Yes
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. (Mark 10:13-14)
Jesus’ love for and commitment to the full development of children provides clear guidance for the ways that we must treat our children.
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, a 2014 UNICEF study entitled Hidden in Plain Sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children “found that on average about four in five children aged 2-14 had experienced violent ‘discipline’ (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) at home in the past month [and] 17% of children experienced severe physical punishment” in the same period.
The World Health Organization document above defines corporal punishment as “violence inflicted on children by parents, teachers, care[give]rs and others in the name of ‘discipline’’’ and the “most common form of violence against children. It violates children’s right to respect for their human dignity and physical integrity, as well as their rights to health, development and education, and is associated with a wide range of negative health, developmental and
behavi[o]ral outcomes for children that can follow them into adulthood.” (UNICEF, UNESCO, and the World Medical Association are among many global and local organizations supporting this initiative.)
Some schools and childcare facilities around the world permit striking another person for the purpose of causing physical pain.
Corporal punishment is humiliating,and degrading, and models aggressive behavior. to children, causing emotional and sometimes physical injury. Research has associated corporal punishment with increased aggression in children and adults as well as increased substance abuse, risk of crime and violence, low self-esteem, and chronic depression.
It is difficult to imagine Jesus Christ condoning any action that is intended to hurt children physically or psychologically. Jesus’ teachings on loving our neighbor and living in peace with one another are foundational for opposition to corporal punishment in institutions in ministry with and to children.
Corporal punishment also sends a message that hitting smaller and weaker people is acceptable.
As people of faith who value children and who are committed to nonviolent conflict resolution, we are called to identify effective alternatives to corporal punishment that teach children to be self-disciplined rather than to submit out of fear. Punishment like time-outs and deprivation of privileges are as effective as corporal punishment in stopping undesirable behavior. Furthermore,
the effectiveness of corporal punishment decreases with subsequent use. Everyone Schools and childcare centers should inspire children to enjoy learning, and school and childcare personnelshould be able to courage and reinforce positive behavior without hitting or harming children.
Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church calls upon governments and educational institutions to enact laws prohibiting corporal punishment in schools and day and residential childcare facilities.
We, The United Methodist Church, therefore call upon all members, governments, and educational institutions to adopt discipline methods that do not include corporal punishment of children.
In addition, we call upon United Methodist-related childcare facilities to adopt policies that explicitly prohibit corporal punishment.
Finally, we call upon congregations and agencies to offer opportunities for dialogue and education on effective discipline of children.
Upon adoption of this resolution, delete Resolution 3088 – Discipline Children Without Corporal Punishment.
Date: August 26, 2019
The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe
General Secretary
Bishop Sally Dyck
President of the Board
General Board of Church & Society Phone: 202-488-5629
E-mail Address: gso@umcjustice.org