Corporal Punishment in the Philippines Discipline is recognized by both parents as an important element in child-rearing.

g. Corporal punishment the most common means of discipline in the Filipino homes 1. Physical maltreatment Of about 61% Filipino children experienced physical abused Spanking most common type of punishment o 75% Filipino children experience spanking o 82% interviewed children reported that they had been hit on different parts of their bodies. 2. Verbal abuse 70% Filipino children have been verbally abused 82% Filipino mothers interviewed admitted to having shouted at their children 48% Filipino mothers interviewed have threatened their children with abandonment. 3. Psychological insults and debasement (emotional, non-verbal abuse) Seldom reported here, in the Philippines 46% of the children surveyed have experience this Why does corporal punishment persist from generation to generation? 1. Cultural beliefs Parents believe that children are born without a sense of right and wrong, and have no self-control believe that punishment is the most effective means of ensuring that the child develops a sense of right and wrong do not yet understand rules and boundaries and must therefore be taught those have no knowledge of the world and are unable to think and make correct decisions by themselves adults believe that they have to exercise power or authority over their children through fear and intimidation else they will not grow up to be good persons believe children are weak and have less knowledge and experience judge the childs behaviour according to their notions of right and wrong, and their ideas of what is fair without even listening to the childs views adults believe children owe their lives to their parents. Thus, they are considered their parents properties believe that corporal punishment has helped make their children behave better, younger parents notice that its effects on their children are not what they intended and not as positive as they would have wanted effects on children: o children have become distant, dazed, afraid and stunned

They also either become rattled upon hearing curses or have grown immune to them o childrens loss of respect for their parents 2. Lack of explicit legal prohibition on the use of corporal punishment there are no clear prohibitions against the use of corporal punishment especially in the home where a lot of the violence takes place home plays a primary role in his/her upbringing and formation and sadly it is also where the incidence of violence in the form of corporal punishment most often takes place suggest that existing Philippine laws actually allow and provide justification for the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline particularly inside the home

There has to be clear guidelines that can help parents and other adults exercise their right to discipline children in a manner that will uphold childrens right to dignity and physical integrity.

Continuation of no. 2 a. The existing restrictions on child abuse do not cover the more common forms of corporal punishment such as spanking and verbal abuse Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code states that parents do not have the right to cause their children physical injury from unreasonable punishment o However, the law seems to totally exclude the types of punishment that are most common but the least visible and the least reported Due to describing unacceptable punishment as those that cause physical injury and those that are unreasonable Examples: Spanking, ear twitching, or hair pulling b. Cruel and unusual punishment is not clearly defined in the law and can easily be misinterpreted Cruelty is seen as a form of child abuse under the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (Republic Act 7610) o this law also states that corporal punishment is not considered a form of cruelty so long as it is done or exercised in a reasonable way, is moderate in degree, and does not constitute physical and psychological injury o parents are only held liable for cruelty if the act of indignity is done deliberately o issue of intention in the exercise of corporal punishment o The law implies that if there is no intention to humiliate or embarrass, then the act of punishment or cruelty is not deliberate

if the parents believe that the act of violence is for the benefit of the child, then it should not be considered against the law Family Code and the Child and Youth Welfare Code state that parents have the right to discipline their child as may be necessary for the formation of his good character, and may therefore require from him obedience to just and reasonable rules, suggestions and admonitions c. The law does not address the issue of corporal punishment in the home, in the family and in the work setting no provision in the laws is directly applicable to punishment of children at work there are several penal laws that are aimed at certain acts committed on children, there remains a need to create terms that specifically ensure the childs protection at work o the law must: clearly and explicitly state that children must not be subjected to corporal punishment or any humiliating treatment such that not even a mild spank or hit is acceptable always specifically uphold their dignity d. Humiliating and degrading punishment is not covered in the general penal laws since it requires that a physical act be done to a child for it to be seen as an offence The law requires that a deed or physical act be committed for it to be considered an offence. Thus, we can claim that general penal laws do not cover humiliating or degrading punishment o Humiliating (non-physical) punishments include: Psychological punishment verbal abuse ridicule isolation or ignoring the child The lack of laws to protect children from punishment of such forms endangers their right to dignity and self-respect

The gaps in our laws clearly show that currently, we do not adequately legally protect children against corporal punishment