Articlegold2021

Prevalence and factors associated with experience of corporal punishment in public schools in South Africa

Pinky Mahlangu · Esnat Dorothy Chirwa · Mercilene Machisa · Yandisa Msimelelo Sikweyiya · Nwabisa Shai · Rachel K. Jewkes

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Education Discipline and Inequality Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression Child Abuse and Trauma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Corporal punishment (CP) is still a common practice in schools globally. Although illegal, studies in South Africa report its continued use, but only a few have explored factors associated with school CP. Moreover, extant studies have not shown the interrelationships between explanatory factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with learners' experiences, and to examine pathways to the learners' experiences of CP at school. METHOD: 3743 grade 8 learners (2118 girls and 1625 boys) from 24 selected public schools in Tshwane, South Africa, enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating a multi-component school-based intervention to prevent intimate partner violence, and completed self-administered questionnaires. We carried out descriptive analysis, simple linear and structural equation modelling to examine factors and pathways to the learners' experience of CP at school. RESULTS: About 52% of learners had experienced CP at school in the last 6 months. It was higher among boys compared to girls. Experience of CP at school amongst learners was associated with learner behavior, home environment, and school environment. Learners from households with low-socio economic status (SES) had an increased risk of CP experience at school. Amongst boys, low family SES status was associated with a negative home environment and had a direct negative impact on a learner's mental health, directly associated with misbehavior. CONCLUSION: CP in public schools in South Africa continues despite legislation prohibiting its use. While addressing learner behaviour is critical, evidence-based interventions addressing home and school environment are needed to change the culture among teachers of using corporal punishment to discipline adolescents and inculcate one that promotes positive discipline.

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References

2013Does Parental Involvement Matter for Student Achievement and Mental Health in High School?2012Poverty & privilege: Primary school inequality in South Africa 2006Factors associated with high school learners' poor performance : a spotlight on mathematics and physical science 2014Corporal Punishment, Maternal Warmth, and Child Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study in Eight Countries 2017Pathways between childhood trauma, intimate partner violence, and harsh parenting: findings from the UN Multi-country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific 2017School corporal punishment in global perspective: prevalence, outcomes, and efforts at intervention 2005Gender Differences in Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression and Behavior Problems in Adolescents 2007Parental corporal punishment predicts behavior problems in early childhood.

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