Corporal punishment remains legal in 15 U.S. states

Corporal punishment remains legal in public schools across 15 U.S. states, as there are no federal laws prohibiting the practice. While many states and local districts require parental consent, the decision to allow physical discipline rests with individual state and local authorities.

Psychologists, including those from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, generally agree that corporal punishment—defined as any action intended to cause pain or discomfort in response to behavior—can be harmful to children. Although the practice is less common than in previous decades, it continues to be used as a disciplinary measure in various regions.