Paddle (spanking)

The paddle is the almost invariable implement in US schools that still allow corporal punishment for student misconduct. Some paddles have traditionally had holes bored in them for aerodynamic effect,[10] but many schools nowadays prohibit the use of such paddles.[11][12]

Paddling typically causes a slight reddening of the skin but in some cases can cause bruises that are "visible for approximately two weeks".[13] Whether or not particular bruises constitute evidence of "serious injury" or "abuse"[14] or "child maltreatment"[15] depends on individual circumstances and can ultimately be settled only by a court of law.

There have been cases in the past when paddling was administered incorrectly or excessively. Partly in order to avoid this danger, in the majority of U.S. schools, paddling is more strictly regulated than in the past, many schools publishing detailed rules in their student handbooks.[16] It is usually a requirement that a professional witness be present. Currently, there is often a maximum of three swats (or "licks" or "pops"). In the past, paddlings of up to 30[17] licks were not unknown, especially in rural schools. Practice has gradually moved from paddlings in the classroom or hallway to paddlings administered out of the sight of other students, typically in the principal's office. "Hallway" paddlings could typically be seen by other students, administrators or even outsiders visiting the school.

In 1981, a 17-year-old student claimed bleeding wounds as a result of a school paddling.[18] It was alleged that the assistant principal who had administered the punishment had held and swung the paddle with two hands.[19] In order to prevent such claims, a school district currently may choose to require the handle of a spanking paddle to be "just large enough for a normal one-hand grip".[20] Or a rule might provide that the handle shall not be more than 4 inches (100 mm) long (just large enough to be held with one hand).[21]

In 1982, a nine-year-old student was hit with a wooden paddle that was cracked.[22] This caused a bleeding wound that became a permanent scar. To avoid this, nowadays some school districts have adopted rules which prohibit using paddles that have cracks in them. For example, the policies of Bloomfield School District provide that, "Corporal punishment will be administered by spanking the buttocks of a student with a flat-surfaced paddle which is smoothly sanded and has no cracks or holes and that will cause no more than temporary pain and not inflict permanent damage to the body."[23]

A paddling is typically administered with two or more school employees present. The student may be ordered to bend over a chair[24] or desk[25] and, in that position, receive the prescribed number of strokes of the paddle. Paddling usually occurs in an office but may sometimes occur in a hallway. The punishment is delivered across the seat of the student's trousers or skirt.

In order to avoid allegations of sexual abuse, many school districts require that a female teacher be present during the paddling of a female student.[26] A school might also recommend "that female staff members administer corporal punishment to female students (middle and high school)".[27] Or a school board might prescribe that a "female principal(s) or designee shall spank or paddle female students" and that a "male principal(s) or designee shall spank or paddle male students."[28]

As of April 2023, 17 states allow corporal punishment in public schools. See School corporal punishment in the United States for further information.

• Some university or college traditions enforce(d) rules by paddling offenders. In the University of Missouri until World War II,[29] any freshman found on the 'quad', the most prestigious square on campus, had to offer his 'insolent' posterior for punishment along a "paddle line" formed by swatting seniors.
• Fraternities and sororities are commonly associated with paddling of members, especially new members or pledges, as part of their hazing rituals.[30] Due to modern anti-hazing laws[31] and regulations, this has declined. This subculture is peculiar to North America.

Practitioners of erotic spanking using a paddle

The paddle is also a favorite implement for non-disciplinary "fun" spankings such as "birthday spankings," as also for paddle games (such as trading blows) or a spanking pyramid or paddle machine. A paddle machine can be used in conjunction with a spanking bench. Numerous celebrities, including Jessica Jaymes, Jennifer Krum, Haydn Porter, Tabitha Stevens and Victoria Zdrok, have mounted Howard Stern's spanking bench to be paddled by his paddle machine, the "Robospanker".[32] Paddles are also used by practitioners of erotic spanking.