Corporal Punishment, Religion, and United States Public Schools

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 1-8

3. Corporal Punishment in Public Schools: What Are the Issues?

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 9-22

4. Data and Legal Issues

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 23-36

5. Religion, Education Pioneers, and Corporal Punishment

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 37-51

6. Corporal Punishment and the Use of Sacred Texts

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 53-76

7. The Theological Tradition of Nonviolence

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 77-98

8. The Ethical Position of no Harm

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 99-119

9. Summary and Conclusion

   • Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

   Pages 121-129

10. Back Matter

    Pages 131-141

    PDF

This book examines corporal punishment in United States public schools. The practice—which is still legal in nineteen states—affects approximately a quarter million children each year. Justification for the use of physical punishment is often based on religious texts. Rather than simply disregarding the importance of religious commitment, this volume presents an alternative faith-based response. The book suggests the “hermeneutical triad,” of sacred text, tradition, and reason as an acceptable approach for those seeking to be faithful to religious text and tradition. 

• Corporal Punishment
• school discipline
• hermeneutical triad
• Child Protective Services
• Ingraham v. Wright
• William Webb
• US Public schools

“Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon offers us a welcome addition to broaden and further nuance our understanding of education in American schools. … Taken together and argued with philosophical delicacy, Fitz-Gibbon delivers a damning argument for the abolition of corporal punishment in United States’ public schools.” (Wendy C. Hamblet, metapsychology online reviews, metapsychology.mentalhelp.net, Vol. 21 (32), August, 2017) 

“This is essential reading for anyone interested in religion, social work, and disability studies. Fitz-Gibbon brings more than thirty years of experience working in foster care to shed light on the overlooked problem of violence in the US public school system. This work is a significant contribution to the available literature on elementary and secondary education and special education.” (Elyse Purcell, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, State University of New York at Oneonta, USA)

“A visceral and edifying reading experience. This book should be required reading for the nineteen states where corporal punishment is still legal.” (David Barr, Director of Exceptional and Alternative Education, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services, USA)

“This book effectively takes on the cultural beliefs that bolster and justify corporal punishment. It is vital reading for educators, therapists, clergy, and anyone who works with children and their families.” (JosephRayle, Associate Professor of Foundations of Education and Social Advocacy, State University of New York at Cortland, USA)

• Buffalo State College , Buffalo, USA

  Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon

Jane Hall Fitz-Gibbon was Visiting Scholar with the Center for Development of Human Services, Buffalo State College, USA. She works in crisis support with TST BOCES, and is involved with the Department of Social Services, co-leading courses on foster care, adoption, and child sexual abuse. She is the author, co-author, or editor of six books.

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