Missouri is one of the few states in America that still allows corporal punishment in schools — but a new bill proposed in the state’s legislature this week wants to change that.
Democrat state Sen. Joseph Keaveny filed legislation on Wednesday that, if passed, would prohibit teachers and administrators from spanking kids at school. Keaveny, in a press release, called corporal punishment an “archaic form of discipline.”
“Times are changing, and as a state, we need to change with them,” he said. “It’s not an effective form of discipline. Also, most parents are no longer comfortable with the idea of a non-family member, much less a public employee, administering this type of punishment.”
Some parents interviewed by local Missouri media seemed to agree with the legislator.
“Parents every day are criticized for the fact that they have left marks on their child however, my child was paddled at school and marks left on him and that’s not an issue. In my opinion it is an issue,” a Missouri mom who’s son was paddled in school told CBS affiliate KFVS.
However, some other lawmakers want teachers to still have the option of spanking disruptive students.
“It’s probably gone by the wayside for the most part. But I do think that…that should be an option. If the school district and board members decide that’s the way to discipline their students,” Republican state Rep. Jered Taylor told ABC affiliate KSPR.
This isn’t Keaveny’s first attempt at banning the practice. In 2014, he filed a similar bill for the reason that “We need to stop assaulting our kids.” That bill died in committee.
Missouri is one of 19 states that still allow corporal punishment and is ranked ninth among those states for where it is used the most.