The history of corporal punishment goes all the way back to the
10th century BC, when it was already present in numerous
civilizations, including Greece, Egypt and Rome. Back then, it
was used for judicial and educational discipline. The best
example in this sense is Sparta, which used such punishments
cruelly in order for men to build willpower and physical
strength. Even though many things have changed since then and
the world has evolved hugely, these punishments are still being
used in today’s modern society. They represent a form of
physical punishment involving the infliction of pain
deliberately. There are three main types of such punishments:
parental (domestic), school, and judicial. Parental or domestic
corporal punishments are applied to children by their parents or
guardians, typically within the family. Children are usually
punished by means of spanking, whipping, slapping, or smacking.
More aggressive punishments are considered child abuse and
domestic violence. The legal status of parents apply