The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain ethical arguments about corporal punishment
Key learning points
- Corporal punishment is physical punishment used in some homes, schools and legal systems.
- Many argue it breaks Article 5 of the UDHR, which bans cruel and degrading treatment.
- It can harm both the body and emotions, damaging dignity and trust.
- Supporters may value it for deterrence or retribution.
- Critics say it normalises violence and prevents reform and undermines human rights.
Keywords
Corporal punishment - punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal
Dignity - the worth and value of each human life
Human rights - the rights a person should be entitled to simply because they are a human being, e.g. education, fair treatment etc.
Common misconception
Corporal punishment is banned everywhere.
It is still legal in over 100 countries in the home, in some schools (including 17 US states), and as a criminal sentence in around 30–35 countries.
Teacher tip
Set ground rules for debates, some students may be particularly vulnerable to discussions about corporal punishment of children
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Commandments include rules like ‘Do not steal’ and ‘Do not kill’, which are directly related to crime.
Q2.Jesus taught that if someone repents, we should them.
Q3.What is one Christian reason for supporting community service?
Q4.Which aim of punishment shows the importance of the law?
Q5.Why do some Christians think prison is better punishment than community service?
Q6.What can prison offer to help criminals reform?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Many argue corporal punishment breaks 5 of the UDHR.
Q2.Some people support corporal punishment for deterrence or .
Q3.Critics say corporal punishment can lead to of power by the state.
Q4.Corporal punishment impacts the of a person.
Q5.What is one argument against corporal punishment?
Q6.Is corporal punishment is banned everywhere?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion, crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.