Corporal punishment is the use of pain, discomfort or physical force for the purpose of punishment.
It has been used as a form of discipline in this country for more than 200 years. Recent movements have, however, identified corporal punishment as a form of child abuse and are working to prohibit this type of punishment in public and private schools. Corporal punishment in the military and in prisons, although once condoned, has been outlawed. Evidence indicates that corporal punishment is still used regularly at every grade level in virtually all regions of this country. Although several states, cities and school districts have banned the practice of corporal punishment, many of these restrictions are ignored.