Corporal punishment: expression of suicidal tendencies

If children are the future of Bangladesh, why damage them? Asked a long-time British friend of Bangladesh Sir Frank Peters in his recent newspaper report about the horrors and cruelty meted out to our children in schools by hitting them. He called it corporal punishment. His penetrative report made me shudder to think about the effects that these practices could have on the children receiving them and those who witness them. Is it one of violence? Is violence the solution to all problems?
To get an answer, all a person needs to do is to cast a look around. The youth members of political parties only know how to communicate through violence. They demonstrate their disrespect and hatred for the people and public properties through display of brutality so much so that even Hitler's brown shirts would have felt embarrassed.
While we all know that the society is in peril, surely it is the duty of all citizens to stem the rot and sow the seeds of a new Bangladesh where future generations will live in peace and harmony.
Sir Frank rightly asked, 'if children are the future of Bangladesh, why damage them?' I would also like to ask the same question. He also said, "any nation that promotes corporal punishment is a clear outward expression of its suicidal tendencies" and I fully agree.
Ann Annis
Baridara, Dhaka.
annannis88@yahoo.co.uk