Among professionals in education and child development, the practice is overwhelmingly condemned. The event emphasizes the goal of discipline is teaching rather than punishment. Pennsylvania allows school districts to establish their own policies. Locally, the Wilkes-Barre Area school district is the largest district that still allows corporal punishment. Polls indicate that an overwhelming majority of parents in Pennsylvania with school-age children favors abolishing corporal punishment in public schools.
Psychologists oppose the use of corporal punishment for many reasons.
Violence begets violence. Children hit by their parents are more likely to be violent. Children who are violent at school usually have someone at home who is being violent with them. The use of violence teaches violence as a solution to problems, and that the more powerful person can abuse the weaker. By being hit, children do not learn positive ways of interacting with others and do not internalize pro-social values.