Bullying among children remains one of the most persistent challenges in schools today. Victims often suffer physical and emotional trauma with long-term consequences that can extend into adulthood. But how we respond to children who bully, especially when our methods mirror the harm they inflict, deserves equal scrutiny.

In many Asian societies, corporal punishment has long been embedded in traditional child-rearing practices. Caning, spanking, or other forms of physical discipline were historically seen as tools to instil respect, obedience, and moral character. These practices were often justified by cultural values emphasising shame, hierarchy, and deference to authority. However, what tradition once normalised is now being critically re-evaluated.

Paediatricians across Asia and globally are increasingly vocal in their opposition to corporal punishment. A/Prof Dr Erwin Khoo (IMU University) and A/Prof Dr Intan Juliana Abd Hamid, both representing the Malaysian Paediatric Association, share their insights on this issue at Changing the Narrative on Bullying and Discipline (The Star, 1 Sept).