Korean Job Discussion Forums

scarus · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

To hit or not to hit, that is the question.

I don't know if the question belongs here, but it does belong somewhere as it doesn't seem to have been discussed much on the forum.

Also, as a sort of sub question...

Would you be happy seeing it on a day to day basis in the school you were working in?

Related to this is this article: http://www.corpun.com/krs00309.htm

For those who are unsure, i mean anything where the kid gets hit, by a cane, hand, twisting of earsetc, or even putting them stress positions for a long time armerican military style.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

depends how it was implemented. If they decded to stop hitting kids at my school there would be chaos. If the sutdent numbers dropped to a manageable level and other behavior modifications were bought in then I would support it.
the reason that they hit kids here is that they don't have time to discpline them properly.
I make my boys stick their hands up in the air and be quiet for 5 seconds when they get too many yellow cards. I reset the time if they start talking again.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Corporal punishment is a big part of education here at my highschool. I've seen so much of it (whacks on the head, kicking the kids, etc) that it doesn't phase me anymore.

It's part of Korean culture, take or leave it; there is nothing we waegukins can do to change it.

Myself, I would never, ever hit a kid, that's just my nature, though I do carry around a "love stick." (it's pretty much required equipment as public school teacher in Korea) I try to concentrate more on positive reinforcement, complimenting the kids work, giving awards and pats on the back.

changmee · Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Location: Yongin, South Korea

For myself, the issue of corporal punishment has been the most difficult to accept. While I accept the cultural differences, and the circumstances which cause such actions, I will never be able to watch adults punish children in such a manner without thinking that it is wrong. I hope that I never stop cringing when a see a child beaten with a bat or yardstick.

Freezer Burn · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Location: Busan

Agreed, I had to bite my tongue and hold my anger in check when one of the kyopo's whacked one of my favourite students with a thick plastic ruler, I whacked my own hand with it earlier playing around with the students and my palm actually bruised it was a solid little sucker.
I got the belt etc as a kid and it didnt do me any harm in the long run (except for the constant cold sweat when i dress up nice) but it was done by my parents and not some stranger in a classroom.

babtangee · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:55 am Post subject:

Give it to 'em good - little boogers.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

scarus · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

i really don't agree with you there...

if u don't agree with it, leave.

It is as simple as that.

Cohiba · Joined: 01 Feb 2005

I think hitting kids is perfectly OK if it is done fairly
and without intent to injure. I do it ALL the time. I
think all this psycho crap from egg-head westerners
about the bad effects is extreme BS. To start with
the Korean kids think they can get away with more
because we are white. (and afraid to hit them) My
kids don't make that mistake twice. You also have to
go with the flow. If Korean teachers hit their kids then
we have to do it to or else we will seem less formidable
to the kids. ALSO don't make the stupid mistake of
trying to be friends with your kids. YOU ARE NOT. You
are their teacher and deserve respect. If you try and
befriend your kids you will confuse them. I am not
saying that you can't have discourse with a student but
it must be a teacher/student relationship.....period.
I have been teaching for ten years and have learned these
rules from experience.

Badmojo · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:13 am Post subject:

I once had kids getting hit for doing bad on a test. Now that's wrong, I don't care what country you're from. I've never been more disgusted in my life with another teacher than that day.

Corporal punishment for misbehaviour is another debate. There's no argument, however, that can justifty it for doing poorly on a test.

I remember I started a thread about it. "You cannot be serious!"

Badmojo · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:16 am Post subject: Re: Hitting Kids

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I think it depends on the country.

Korean kids have grown up in schools where teachers do hit kids. If the foreign teacher does not hit, there is a risk of appearing unable to control the students. Under normal conditions it should not be necessary to hit kids. Other approaches can be effective, but a swat on the palm is not severe. If the classroom rules are clear about unacceptable behavior, I think it's OK to whack the hand, possibly the legs (but I'd have trouble with that one.)

Korean culture is very specific about disciplining out of love. I think it is absolutely necessary to let the kid know you are not doing it because you are angry (or psycho). And after the punishment, I think it is necessary to treat the kid as if nothing happened--the event is over and forgotten. No grudges held.

tommynomad · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Location: on the move

Cohiba · Joined: 01 Feb 2005

tommynomad · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Location: on the move

Sorry--lost in the pronouns.
What I mean is that once word gets out that a group of students turned on one of their stick-happy teachers, maybe other teachers of that ilk will actually learn something about motivation and discipline instead of using corporal punishment. I know I'd think twice if I knew my angry little confucian reign had come to an end and payback was suddenly possible. Not to mention it would also prove--in an upward way, as opposed to the common downward pattern--that violence only begets more violence.