Corporal Punishment

Many of us over 25 years of age may still recall how being put over the teacher’s lap and spanked, having your knuckles hit with a ruler, or being led to the principal’s office by your ear…

Many of us over 25 years of age may still recall how being put over the teacher's lap and spanked, having your knuckles hit with a ruler, or being led to the principal's office by your ear were all part of the consequences for misbehaving in school. Corporal punishment has all but disappeared in North America. Radical changes have empowered youth to where even a disgruntled prolonged stare could result in your own behaviour being questioned by school authorities!

From one extreme to another, whether you agree with it or not, one thing is for certain. Anyone thinking of undertaking a career in ESL teaching abroad must consider this aspect of the job carefully and in so doing, question whether your own morals and beliefs can coincide with another culture's understanding of the same.

This week's article Corporal Punishment looks at South Korea as an example of some of the methods used in disciplining and whether or not working here is right for you.