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3087 - Discipline Children Without Corporal Punishment Revise and Readopt
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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