AllAfrica.com has an article from Zambia that discusses the negative effects of corporal punishment on children in schools and at home. The article comes after a survey done throughout all nine of the Zambian provinces. It found that corporal punishment is widespread both in the classroom and at home.

This is no surprise. However and Anglican Priest in Lusaka speaks out against such abuse. He is asked about the Proverb, "spare the rod, spoil the child" (11:7), and though I like his intention his defense of the rhetoric of the Proverb is probably not accurate. He contends that the rod is actually the code of conduct, not an actual rod, because how can the rod and staff comfort anybody (Psalm 23) if it inflicts pain. His reasoning does not take into account he cultural reality of the Proverb writer, who most likely conducts punishment much like the culture of this Zambian priest.

Nonetheless, the article discusses how the abuse produces long-lasting negative effects, and despite the criticism for eradicating corporal punishment as Westernization that would not work in Africa, the article champions a cause against its culture.

One quote I enjoy is an obvious one, but often the obvious must be stated over and again:

Corporal punishment works against the process of ethical development. It teaches children not to engage in a particular behaviour because they risk being beaten.

But it does not teach them the reasons and ethics for not behaving in a particular manner.

In looking and ministering cross-culturally, we have to contend with culture and with ethical understanding. There is no black and white answer and often personal cultural biases get in the way of right living. Yet if we focus to highly on "the right way" ultimately we detach Christ and the gospel from the culture and the message will ultimately fail. In the instance of corporal punishment however, one can take stand firm that at least the excess used in the Zambian culture is counter-Christ. Christ would likely stand counter-culturally to this oppressive abuse of children.

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