Corporal punishment can earn no respect: Sir Frank Peters

Sir Frank Peters sirfrankpeters@gmail.com

Corporal punishment was outlawed in Bangladesh over a decade ago, but much to our disgust and shame, right up to the oncoming of the coronavirus pandemic that closed education establishments; it was omnipresent in homes, schools and madrasas.
In Part One of the interview, renowned anti-corporal punishment crusader Sir Frank Peters talks openly in ‘a spade-is-a-spade’, ‘no-holds-barred’ manner about how cruel and damaging corporal punishment can be to a child (and devastating to Bangladesh society) and advises how it can be stopped.
If you do not assert yourself, some people will walk all over you. It’s important to speak out and refuse to be trodden upon. People are only powerful by your consent Now that the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set her focus on the needs of children, I’m hoping things will change for the better rapidly If every loving father and mother who believes or have proclaimed, that their children are gifts from Allah, it makes no sense whatsoever that they, or allow anybody else, such as a ‘teacher’ or imam, to abuse and damage them Is corporal punishment to children, really all that serious?
SFP: Many of the problems adults face in life have been traced back to the corporal punishment they were given as children. It is associated with aggression and depression throughout their young and adult years, and is the root cause of antisocial behaviour towards peers, siblings, adults and society in general. The damage corporal punishment can have on children can range on a scale from mild to suicidal and all the pain, hurt, suffering, sorrow, depression and tears in between.
Coronavirus Covid-19 has been a gift from God for many children in many respects, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. Children often talk about having ‘invisible friends’ with whom they play, chat and confide their most inner thoughts. Adults are too closed minded to see them.
Just now Coronavirus Covid-19 is the best invisible friend they’ve ever had. It has prevented them from attending schools and madrasas where there’s been an horrific history of corporal punishment cruelty, even death. The children are free from this abuse.
What actually happens in the classroom, irrespective of how horrific it may appear to be to onlookers, is the mere tip of the iceberg, a fraction of the damage it may cause to a child.
Remember, no two children think alike, not even twins. All are unique. They think and respond differently according to their perception.
While insults catapulted at a child by a ‘teacher’ or imam to a child might be like water off a duck’s back to one; it could cause deep psychological effects to another, making them feel unwanted, unloved and of lesser value, if not entirely worthless. That may lead them to the edge where they ask themselves, why go on living?
Is there evidence to support your claims?
Absolutely... tons of irrefutable evidence. University libraries worldwide are floor-to-ceiling stocked with scientific studies on the possible affects corporal punishment has on children. Some studies have been carried out over years and intensively scrutinized, checked and double-checked for accuracy and not a single one has come out in favour of corporal punishment. Even religious organization, notorious for corporal punishment to children, carried out independent studies hoping to find justification for the cruelty they inflicted upon children and they found no evidence in favour. That must tell you something, but the ignorant ‘teacher’ at a school or madrasa in a Bangladesh village, knows differently!
A recent report by the University of Manitoba, for example, stated: “Children who are given corporal punishment in school or in the home, spanked, slapped, grabbed and pushed, shoved, kicked, beaten with a cane or any other means of physical punishment, may be at an increased risk for developing mental problems later in life and it may cause mood and anxiety disorders or lead to alcohol and drug abuse.”
But does this matter to the unqualified ‘teacher’ at a school or madrasa who has superior knowledge about such matters? Not likely.
A stone thrown in to a pool of water creates ripples that are visible to the eye for a while. When a ‘teacher’/imam hits a child invisible ripples may occur in the child’s brain that can manifest when he/she becomes an adult in the form of a drug addiction, alcoholism, or performing unsociable behaviour. They resort to stealing to feed their drug habit. We then blame them for the loss of our TV set, or whatever, but who is really to blame? Who created the problem? They are victims of ignorance.
British psychologists at Plymouth University tell us “punishment in childhood makes kids more prone to serious illness later in life and that smacking or even shouting at children boosts their risk of developing cancer, heart disease and asthma”. Why take such a risk when corporal punishment achieves nothing in the first place?
In the 2011 ruling on corporal punishment in schools, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh High Court Division called for prohibition of corporal punishment, but there hasn’t been conformation from the legislation, in your opinion why do you think the act is yet to be passed?
SFP: Only the Government can answer that question. It surprises and disappoints me, however, that after 11-years it hasn’t been legislated against. Maybe they thought that fading yellowish circular would be enough. They could make the circulars more effective by adding that in addition to criminal prosecution, departmental proceedings shall be taken against the perpetrator and that will be kept on his service record.
The High Court Division suggested that in the judgment parents withdraw criminal proceedings, but departmental proceedings can continue. This would be the best deterrent.
Now that the honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the most powerful woman in the history of Bangladesh and Asia EVER, has set her focus on the needs of children, I’m hoping things will change for the better rapidly. It’s one thing to say children are the future of the nation – that’s got a nice warm comforting ring to it – but if the children are not protected, nurtured, and given the support they need to grow, the phrase is meaningless. They’re just words that can be found in the cheapest of weather-beaten dictionaries on side street stalls. Words without action are like bodies without souls.
The 2011 ruling does not take all forms of corporal punishment into factor Save the Children stated that “the 2011 ruling is relevant only to medical actions on a child and not to corporal punishment.” What are other gaps that this law should improve on, if any?
SFP: I believe the Bangladesh High Court Division took into consideration all forms of corporal punishment and also suggested outlawing corporal punishment in the home for logical reasons previously stated. Those in power are scared to enact such provision because they or their colleagues may fall foul!
The time will come, and I do not envisage that being too far away, when the government will be bold and set its priorities straight and don’t mind on whose toes it walks.
Why does corporal punishment not work?
SFP: Corporal punishment has never worked… and never will work. It’s impossible to create a positive with a negative. The thousands of studies confirm that.
Some years back, when overseas, I had left my office to buy lunch. Next to the sandwich shop was a school. As I passed by the playground I noticed a boy, about 10 or so, who had another boy pressed up against the wall and was beating into him with his fist.
Just as I was about to scream at the abuser, ‘leave him alone’, I could hear the boy repeatedly say, ‘you will be my friend… you will be my friend’ with every enraged punch he threw.
My world momentarily came to a complete standstill. I stood there speechless, and transfixed to the spot like a statue. I just couldn’t believe what I had heard.
Similarly, a teacher/imam cannot beat a child and say, ‘you will respect me... you will respect me.’
You cannot beat love and respect into anyone, although some wife-beaters, ‘teachers’ and imams try hard.
Respect isn’t something that you ask for and then receive. Respect is earned; then respect is given. If a person is not given respect, than that person hasn’t earned it or simply doesn’t deserve it.
Respect is something that needs to be demonstrated FIRST to others before one can expect it to be returned.
A ‘teacher’ or imam who beats a child has no hope of getting respect. NO hope whatsoever. They’re delusional. The child may feign friendship, even love, and respect (to prevent him/her from being beaten in the future) but that’s not respect…. that’s a mere lesson in survival. The child does whatever needs to be done for self-protection. There’s no heart invested.
Class discipline: A class that respects its teacher will NOT misbehave and will always rise academically. If a teacher in a class of, say, 50 pupils is held in respect and one pupil becomes playful and even mildly disruptive. The “Respect Police” (the 49 other pupils) will automatically discipline the culprit without the necessity of even a word from the teacher. Respect demands respect… respect is given respect. That’s how it works.
The teacher and pupils become friends who respect each other and want to help each other. It’s a natural process once learned, never forgotten.
What are the alternatives of corporal punishment?
SFP: When there’s respect, the majority of the regular problems go out the window. There’s never any need for corporal punishment.
A look of disappointment (perhaps a slight shake of the head added for emphasis) or an eyebrow raised from a respected teacher speaks volumes in silence. It’s interpreted to mean: ‘you disappoint me’.
Nobody wants to disappoint those whom they love, admire and respect.  It’s implanted in nature. Most mothers fall into this category. Very few children would intentionally disappoint their mothers. Even a dog will show remorse if it upsets its master.
What do you think is the best atmosphere for children to learn?
SFP: To set a cordial tone for classroom learning, every classroom should be illuminated with a bright smile from the teacher. Every lesson should begin with a joke, riddle, funny story… something that brings a smile to the faces of all those present and joy to their hearts, either from the teacher or pupils.
Put a child in a happy environment and the academic results will be astonishing. It’s a scientific fact happy children learn faster and retain more.
A school is where a child (and teacher) should want to be… an Indiana Jones adventure playground in learning and broadening one’s knowledge.
An escape from problems whatever they may be. A sanctuary that provides safety and protection from the often seemingly cruel world outside its hallowed walls. A school should be a holy, happy place where a child feels completely safe, appreciated and a somebody.
My namesake Frank Peters Ali (God love him) was on his way to his village school one day when he met his school chum going home. His bondu told him it was Teachers Day and the school was closed.
Well… young Frank’s eyes welled-up, burst their dam walls, and shed tears that would have extinguished a forest fire. (He was four at the time).
How wonderful it would be if all children felt as he did towards his school. It’s possible. I, too, loved school.
Women worldwide love good listeners. Children, on the other hand, crave for their voices to be heard and want to express themselves, but, sadly, are seldom given the opportunity. This has to change.
In Part Two, Sir Frank continues his noble crusade and advises teachers and imams to be positive and encouraging with their approach, for greater positive results.
(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, an award- winning writer, a humanitarian, a royal goodwill ambassador and a long-time friend of Bangladesh. Three Bangladeshi boys have been named ‘Frank Peters’ in his honour.)