The issue of corporal punishment of students in the elementary and secondary schools is examined in this paper. Included are a brief examination of the legal and cultural history of corporal punishment of children, a review of literature concerning parent and administrator attitudes toward corporal punishment, and a consideration of reasons for and against the practice. It is pointed out that although corporal punishment in schools is prohibited in much of Europe and in the Soviet Union, it is still accepted in all of the States in this country except New Jersey and Massachusetts. A number of studies on corporal punishment are briefly reviewed. Issues raised include the disproportionate application of the practice to poor, weak, or non English speaking children, parent attitudes toward punishment of their children in the schools, and the idea that corporal punishment teaches that the use of force is an acceptable means of solving problems. In addition, it is indicated that many experts feel that creative teachers can find more effective ways of enforcing discipline. The paper concludes with a list of guidelines for the legal administration of corporal punishment, and the observation that though most parents oppose the practice, school officials and teachers do not. (GC)