Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child?

As surely as day follows night, I knew that the proposed state legislation to ban paddling in public schools would spark outrage in some authoritarian quarters. Ever since, cries of “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” have been heard throughout the state from folks who are justifiably concerned about violence in our schools, but who are totally clueless as to solutions.

Some of the behaviors we’re seeing — rioting 7th graders and wanton attacks on teachers — are so egregious, so outrageous, so far beyond the Pale that on some days I’d like to move way, way beyond mere paddling of these juvenile miscreants; I want to stomp a mud-hole in some of their asses. The only thing is, it wouldn’t accomplish much — other than to make me feel a little bit better ... because that’s all retributive actions can ever accomplish.

But wait, what about Singapore? This nation is always cited by those wishing to make their case for the use of corporal punishment to keep disruptive kids in check.

Officials there use caning of students for what we here would consider relatively minor infractions, and man, does it ever seem to work. Juvenile misbehavior is virtually unheard of in Singapore, and this island nation of over 4.5 million people has a world-wide reputation as one of safest places on earth. Doors routinely go unlocked around the clock, and women feel completely safe walking alone at night on Singaporean streets. Sounds like heaven, right? But in this world everything comes at a price and commentators who try to use a totally different culture to justify corporal punishment here either haven’t done their homework or are purposely being disingenuous.

Souvenir vendors in Singapore sell T-shirts with the legend “In Singapore Everything is FINE,” but it’s a play on words. In addition to the accepted meaning of the word “fine” means everything is OK, locals know that the T-shirts are a sly way of tweaking one of the most authoritarian governments in the world. Citizens of Singapore receive serious “fines” for things like jaywalking and chewing gum. Yes, chewing gum was outlawed over two decades ago. Additionally, “crimes” like littering, and failing to flush a toilet after use (seriously, I’m not making this up!) can result in a misdemeanor criminal changes, and, again, substantial fines. So, everything really is “FINE” in Singapore. And don’t get caught with a Playboy magazine (which is considered pornography) ... in addition to the “fine,” your ass cheeks could wind up looking like ground hamburger by the time prison officials get through caning you.

Which brings up another point about justice Singaporean style: Caning is only carried out as part of a prison sentence, and under rigorous protocols. But, similar to other forms of punishment there, it is very rarely used. Why? Because the crime rate is among the lowest in the known world. The next question could be: Why is it so low? Because Singapore ranks very high on the list of wealthiest nations in the world, enjoys the second highest per capita gross domestic product in Asia (Japan has the highest), and unemployment is virtually zero. Oh, did I mention that it enjoys one of the highest literacy rates in the world?

So, what’s their secret? How has Singapore seemingly solved so many of the civic, social and behavioral problems much of the industrialized world is beset with? By creating a regimented, dictatorial (and when necessary, brutish) society, culture, and way of life, that’s how.

In this country we only call for the caning of errant kids; in Singapore the punishment extends to errant adults as well. A public official caught taking a bribe might wish that he could get off with a light sentence, but it just ain’t happening; he’s going to get body slammed by the court, along with the businessman who gave the bribe, and they both could get spanked like grownup babies.

When police discovered an “old boy” network of insider traders looting stock markets a few years ago the judge told their families it was no use keeping a candle burning in the window for the criminals; it would be a long, long time before they came home. 50 years to be exact. No high-priced lawyers could get them preferential treatment like here in the US; in other words, a legal system that truly is blind to race, class, status — and most of all, money. “Egalitarian” is the word that works nicely in terms of Singaporean justice.

The last dude caught attempting to smuggle heroin into the country (in 2006) — a Black African — was hanged within the year. There are no appeals courts to speak of in Singapore to delay the process, but the question of racism could never be raised since the previous smuggler hanged on the island was a White Australian. We’re talking real zero tolerance here folks ... but a completely fair form of the principle.

According to Wikipedia: “On September 16, 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak were formally merged and Malaysia was formed.” However, after two years of racial unrest, sparked by Singaporeans who felt they were being treated unfairly and were being discriminated against, they broke away from the union and went their own way. And one of the first things the new government did was to outlaw discrimination against anyone, in any form, under any circumstances. Everyone, no matter their ethnicity, race or nation of origin, would be treated exactly the same ... and the government let everyone know that it was very serious about the edict. Yes, it can be done.

Imagine if that would have happened in the United States after the Civil War — would people still be crying out to use corporal punishment on inner-city children? Probably not, and here’s why: If we had done what Singapore did (or, if we belatedly do now) every child would be provided with all of the requisites for success, and every parent would be equipped to help their child achieve that success. And, if a case arises where a family problem is discovered, if a parent is not equipped or is not willing to do their job, government-backed solutions are swiftly put in place. This truly would be “No Child Left Behind.”

In a society where every child-citizen is positive they will one day be incorporated into the economic and social fabric of life on an equal and fair footing (based only on their educational attainment); where decent-paying jobs are available to everyone who wants (and is able) to work; where advancement is based only on a person’s willingness to play by a fair set of rules ... in that type of society I have no problem with using the cane on those — adults and children alike — who act in inappropriate ways.

In such a society the wild 15-year-old from Pepper Pike would be as likely to be caned as the equally wild kid from the King-Kennedy projects. But, on the real, in Singapore there are no slums, no poor people, or no high school dropouts. We want to use Singaporean punishments but not create Singaporean style equalities, and, keep in mind that this is a country that has long been the watch lists of international organizations that charge officials there with human rights abuses.

But if Singapore has achieved a form of true equality, would we want to attempt their tactics here? Would I — would you — be wiling to trade some basic notions about liberties, some illusions of freedom, or some of our lies about justice ... for a well-regulated society (albeit somewhat totalitarian in nature) where racism is totally outlawed? It’s a notion and tradeoff Blacks would have to ponder.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com
Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

(:divend:)