Corporal punishment is very controversial because it has been a debatable topic for decades and many people have conflicts over a proper definition of what it actually means. A dictionary definition for corporal punishment is; punishment for some violation of conduct that involves the infliction of pain on, or harm to the body. A fine or imprisonment is not considered to be corporal punishment (in the latter case, although the body is confined, no punishment is inflicted upon the body). The death penalty is the most drastic form of corporal punishment and is also called capital punishment. Some schools still use a strap to punish students. Some countries still punish habitual thieves by cutting off a hand. These are forms of corporal punishment, as is any form of spanking, whipping or bodily mutilation inflicted as punishment. But in this case the form of corporal punishment discussed is physical force used with the intension of causing pain, but not injury, to correct or control a child's behavior (The Spanking Debate)
             This is an important topic because the use of corporal punishment could have vast different effects on different children, different gender, different culture, and/or even different race and could lead to abuse. Children all react in different ways, and are too punished in different ways. Corporal punishment is found to have one desirable effect, getting a child (especially one with behavior problems and a tendency to resist authority) to act in accordance immediately with a parent's legitimate demands. Corporal punishment from a parent or guardian would usually consist of spanking or smacking of the head, anything beyond this would be considered physical abuse. But what would you consider physical abuse or a f it punishment?
             There are two views in which to compare and contrast the topic of corporal punishment. One view point is the developmental psychological element and the other is a cultural studies element ...