To Beat or Not to Beat

The decision to abolish corporal punishment in St. Lucia by May 2020 is a complicated discussion. In case you’re a regional or international reader, the Ministry of Education recently got parliamentary approval for the suspension of corporal punishment, followed by its total abolition. We must seem like such a backward country, but the government of the day has finally decided to follow UN conventions that we have signed onto for years.

With this in mind, we can now talk about how unbelievably divisive the passing of this new bill has become.

Most St. Lucians are of the opinion that beating people’s children is all well and fine since it’s what they grew up with in schools in the ’60s to ’90s. Several people that I spoke to have told me that getting hit has shaped them into the people that they are now. No one could tell me what exactly that person is though. I hardly ever was subject to that form of punishment at school. Does that make me less of a responsible, obedient and well-rounded person? I don’t think I’ll ever know.

Corporal punishment is so deeply ingrained in St. Lucia culture, that a high ranking Union official described it as part of St. Lucia’s education system since its inception – an odd justification. A large section of society almost seems disappointed that St. Lucia is finally advancing in this particular social mandate. The consensus is that ridding corporal punishment will continue to generate an army of unmannerly and troublesome children, and subsequently, disrespectful adults.

The apparent remedy is to beat them into submission. What historical event does that remind you of? 10 points if you can answer.

Then there are those who have done everything but jump for joy in the streets. This new legislation couldn’t come a moment sooner. These are the advocates of creative methods of punishment, positive reinforcement and child-friendly schools (this is the perfect research and learning opportunity for you). These are the people who see corporal punishment as a degrading and cruel form of punishment – as the UN puts it.

I’ve also had conversations with persons who believe that not enough emphasis is placed on the positive behaviours that children exhibit in schools. The argument is, if you reward children when they do well, and deny them when they do bad, they will be less likely to be disobedient. Research supports it.

It seems as though both parents and teachers believe that the only way to properly rectify behavioural issues in children is to beat them. It’s almost a cultural norm. It’s amusing to watch how shaken up people are. You would think teachers know absolutely no other way of punishing students. Is beating the only way? In that case, I’m adding myself to the list of people who see St. Lucia as a backwards country.

I do see issues with the abolition though. No one knows what regulations guide this new legislation. Is it even legislation? What are the repercussions for teachers who hit students after the dates set out in the memo? When are we going to address corporal punishment in families, homes, and even the streets?

There’s a lot to be done.