Year 11 - Religious education
The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment
Religion, crime and punishment
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will study ideas of crime and how people may view crime is caused. From that, they will examine different ideas of punishing crime and treating criminals focussing especially on a case study of the death penalty and ideas of forgiveness.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain ethical arguments about corporal punishment.
Key Notes
- Corporal punishment is physical punishment used in some homes, schools and legal systems.
- Many argue it breaks Article 5 of the UDHR, which bans cruel and degrading treatment.
- It can harm both the body and emotions, damaging dignity and trust.
- Supporters may value it for deterrence or retribution.
- Critics say it normalises violence and prevents reform and undermines human rights.
Vocabulary To Learn
- corporal punishment: punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal
- dignity: the worth and value of each human life
- human rights: the rights a person should be entitled to simply because they are a human being, e.g. education, fair treatment etc.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Corporal punishment is banned everywhere.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Corporal punishment is physical punishment used in some homes, schools and legal systems. Many argue it breaks Article 5 of the UDHR, which bans cruel and degrading treatment.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'corporal punishment'
punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Corporal punishment is banned everywhere. Correction: It is still legal in over 100 countries in the home, in some schools (including 17 US states), and as a criminal sentence in around 30–35 countries.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different religious views about corporal punishment Study Guide
- Different religious views about forgiveness Study Guide
- Different religious views about the death penalty Study Guide
- Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty Study Guide
- Good and evil intentions Study Guide
- Opposition to an unjust law Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: greed and hate Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: mental illness and addiction Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: poverty and upbringing Study Guide
- The aims of punishment Study Guide
- The concept of forgiveness Study Guide
- The treatment of criminals: prison and community service Study Guide
- Views about different types of crime Study Guide
- Views about people who commit crime Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.