The very existence of corporal punishment as an option tends to legitimate a wide variety of acts which are as degrading and humiliating to children as being struck. In circumstances where children's physical integrity is violated, it is illogical to expect that their psychological integrity will fare any better. Children of poverty are corporally punished far more frequently than children of the middle or affluent classes. Such unequal treatment further handicaps and discourages the very children who most need to be encouraged. It helps plant the illusion in the minds of all children that certain people are inferior, that they deserve to be beaten and when they drop out of school, it's their own fault.
Corporal punishment is a powerful reinforcer of bigotry, class discrimination and collective hatred.
Corporal punishment is a degrading and humiliating treatment. Some children, upon seeing an adult in authority behave this way toward a child, interpret it as a license for them to do the same. For this reason, the use of corporal punishment promotes bullying, cruelty and scapegoating among children. Schools are role models for their communities. They should set the highest possible standard.