Corporal punishment defined by psychologists is physical force that inflicts pain without injury for correctional purposes (Donnelly), but children between the ages of four and twelve define it very differently. For them it is the cane, the belt and the raised hand that have taught them discipline and fear. For them, it is the scars and bruises that have become the reminder of their wrong doings. For them it is the measure taken by parents to form the "model citizen". Considering the well-being and moral internalization of these children as an absolute priority, many people have spoken out against this practice and some governments have banned it. However, the fight to ban domestic corporal punishment is not over because it can lead to abuse, is an ineffective form of correctional education, and inhibits child development. Even if parents justify themselves by saying that they do not intend to hurt their children, there is a tendency for corporal punishment to turn into child abuse. This is because for the punishment to be effective in conveying the message, the intensity and duration of each punishment must be increased over time. For example, a four-year-old might only need a light tap on the hand, but a ten-year-old might need to be caned to learn the same lesson. As a result, parents may not know how much to punish them and end up overdoing it, as it has been reported that 63% of child abuse cases are justified by corporal punishment (Gershoff). Another reason is that parents assume they have control over themselves. However, this is not the case because a study of 35 mothers showed that most parents respond impulsively or emotionally, rather than instrumentally, with their children's health in min...... middle of paper. .....viours have been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In short, there is a high risk of negative behavioral changes among those who receive corporal punishment. To conclude, corporal punishment should not be practiced in any home as child abuse can occur, wrong lessons can be taught and the child's development can be hindered. It is understood that disciplining one's children is the responsibility of every parent, but corporal punishment is not the means of doing so. In addition to properly correcting misconduct, parents must also set a good example for their children by teaching them that aggression is not a solution to aggression. With this in mind, their well-being and development will not be jeopardized and a true model citizen can be formed. Finally, for those who still practice corporal punishment at home, ask yourself this: fear equals moral values?