‘This Is How We Do It Here’: The Persistence of the Physical Punishment of Children in Ghana in the Face of Globalizing Ideals

‘Troubling’ Chastisement: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Child Punishment in Ghana and Ireland

“…However, urbanisation/modernisation of village life alongside digitalisation of social life such as access to mobile phones has led to a gradual shift in the perception of physical punishment of children due to heightened awareness of campaigns against physical punishment (Imoh, 2012). Also, Article 15(2) of the 1992 Constitution and the 1998 Children's Act which protects all people from degrading treatment and punishment might also be filtering into changes in public attitudes and perceptions (Imoh, 2012).…”

“…Imoh’s (2012) study of children’s perceptions of physical punishment in Ghana reported support for ‘continuing use of physical punishment as a method of child discipline’. This study highlighted that support for the use of physical punishment is often based on customary-philosophy: (a) ‘this is how we do it here’.…”

“…This study highlighted that support for the use of physical punishment is often based on customary-philosophy: (a) ‘this is how we do it here’. Imoh’s (2012, 2013) work also pointed out its perceived practical implication: (b) Ghanaian children raised in a social context where the use of physical punishment is commonly applied and accepted were perceived to be better behaved than children raised in Western societies. However, rather than reflecting traditional African customs and traditions Agbenyega (2006) suggests that these beliefs are rooted authoritarian Christian catechisms recited by mainly male school teachers:Using the Judeo-Christian perspectives, teachers quote phrases from the Holy Bible to support their arguments.…”

“…Instead, it is about developing academic and civic feminist discourses which transcend barriers of intersectionality and conservatism when addressing human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and child protection in families. In addition, Imoh (2012) argues, ‘there is a significant minority of parents emerging in Ghanaian society who oppose the status quo and stress the need for a rethink in parenting styles’ (p. 140), which in turn requires a need for more social dialogue between social policy makers, the media, Ghanaian society, communities, schools, families, and children.…”

Force Signs: Ideologies of Corporal Discipline in Academia and the Marshall Islands

“…Reported force also plays a major role in ethnographies. Many articles about corporal discipline cite only reported force (Archambault ; Imoh ; Rydstrom ); some articles rely mostly on reports (Perry ); and in longer ethnographies data from speech and observation often comingle in ways authors do not explicitly explore (e.g., Einarsdottir ; Morton ; Nutter ; Whiting ; Wolf ). Morton (, 187–201) begins her discussion of corporal punishment with a survey of reported force; discusses a nineteen‐year‐old's claim that she was still beaten once a week; and then moves to a five‐year‐old's beating.…”