Are We Failing Our Children with Corporal Punishment?

The question of whether or not children are being protected is a very prominent one that has been asked for a very long time. Corporal punishment has historically been used as a means of controlling children, either at home or at school. Children are protected under certain provisions of the law; however, are these provisions enough, and are they actually protecting children in the way they intend to?

Currently, Botswana’s legal statutes state that corporal punishment is allowed under certain circumstances. The Education Act allows for teachers in schools to administer physical punishment, provided the circumstances under which the corporal punishment is being administered are regulated, whilst the Penal Code indicates that parents may reasonably chastise their children. These provisions do strive to ensure that excessive force is not being used on children; however, they do not adequately protect children from other kinds of harm such as psychological or physical harm.

People do not have the same definitions of what is deemed reasonable for corporal punishment. These laws are vague and subjective, which makes it easy for children to be abused.

The opinions of experts have continuously portrayed that corporal punishment does not actually work for children in the long run. It instead has more faults than advantages. Organisations such as UNICEF indicate that there is a connection between corporal punishment and children exhibiting aggression, anxiety, and depression, as well as defiance towards authority. Physical punishment has consistently proven to not only fail in instilling discipline but instead results in fear and resentment being caused within these children.

Countries all around the world have taken initiatives to combat the issue of corporal punishment. In 2024, over 60 countries have ensured that corporal punishment is prohibited, including South Africa. These countries have understood that, similarly to adults, children have to be protected from violence. Botswana should adopt similar commitments so as to align with international standards in order to fully protect children.

Corporal punishment is often argued to be a part of culture. People of the older generation believe that not administering corporal punishment means that the youth will not have discipline. However, these beliefs are contrary to what we understand when it comes to the development of children and international human rights standards. Botswana has ratified conventions that expressly state that children should be protected from physical or mental violence, and in 2021 the United Nations committee encouraged Botswana to remove corporal punishment allowances from its legislature. Should Botswana continue to align itself with progressive organisations if it fails to position its laws with theirs?

Corporal punishment continues to have a deeply concerning impact on the most vulnerable members of our society. Children with disabilities, orphans, children growing up in rural and underserved areas, and those from low-income households are often the ones most affected. In places where resources are scarce, such as overcrowding in classrooms or homes burdened by poverty, physical discipline can become the only response. Unfortunately, it is often used without consideration of the emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of the children involved. These children deserve not just equal protection under the law, but also greater care, understanding, and support.

It is important to understand that advocating for the reassessment of corporal punishment laws is not a call for a society without discipline. On the contrary, discipline remains a crucial part of raising and educating children. What we are calling for is a change in how discipline is understood and applied. Positive discipline is not about permissiveness or lack of structure; it is about encouraging responsibility, accountability, and mutual respect without resorting to violence. It includes approaches such as mentoring and structured parent-teacher collaboration. These alternatives are proven to be more effective in shaping long-term behavioural change. They help children understand consequences and develop self-control—not through fear, but through reflection and positive reinforcement.

Botswana is raising a generation of children who deserve more than bruises wrapped in the name of discipline. Yes, our traditions matter, and yes, discipline is important—but fear should never be the foundation we build a child’s future on. The world has changed, and so has our understanding of what children need to thrive. Reforming our laws is about giving every child the chance to grow up feeling safe, valued, and heard. Let us not confuse pain with parenting. Let us not teach respect through fear. It is time to put down the stick and raise our standards. In a world where hitting an adult is considered assault, why should it not be the same for children?