The role of race in preservice teachers' perceptions of and attitudes towards corporal punishment & child maltreatment

In school contexts where corporal punishment is permitted, teachers have two potentially conflicting roles; an indirect participant in the administration of corporal punishment and as a mandated reporter of child maltreatment. Attitudes influenced by racial group may further complicate the issue. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between preservice teachers' race and their attitudes towards corporal punishment, child maltreatment, mandated reporting and their perceptions of parental discipline techniques. Results indicated differences by racial group on attitudes towards corporal punishment and ratings of abusiveness of parental discipline practices. Implications for teacher education are discussed.