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Why hasn't the U.S. banned corporal punishment in schools?

There is a broad consensus among psychologists that corporal punishment can be harmful to children, but the U.S. has no federal laws banning it in public schools. Instead, it’s up to states and local districts to decide if it can be used.

NPR’s Kadin Mills reports.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

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