DJIBOUTIDJIBOUTIA UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 72% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. Two thirds experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (31%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also widely used: experienced by 83% of children. More than one child in five experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 57% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). The prevalence of violent discipline rose with age, with 75% of children aged 10-14 experiencing it compared to 66% of children aged 2-4. Children living in larger households were more likely to experience violent discipline: 75% of children in households of 6 or more people compared to 62% of children in households of 2-3 people. The statistics also suggest that children with more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study (p. 72). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) were found according to sex, level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour.
(UNICEF, 2010, Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY: UNICEF)
Interviews with 1,669 children aged 9 – 14 in 19 schools revealed that school corporal punishment is widespread. 27.6% of the children said they had been hit with an object such as a ruler, stick or “tuyau” (a PVC pipe), 19.5% had been forced to kneel in front of the class or outside as a punishment and 14.1% had been pinched or had their hair or ears pulled. The study also examined the academic achievement of students, and concluded that the schools with the best results are those in which least corporal punishment is used, and that the students in these schools feel most secure.
(Debarbieux, E., 2006, “Pourqui pas un bonne fessée? Une recherche sur le châtiment corporel à l’école”, SPIRALE - Revue de Recherches en Éducation, 37, pp.83-95, available at www.spirale-edu-revue.fr/IMG/pdf/8_Debarbieux_Spirale_37.pdf (in French))