In 1994, about 60 to 70% of Americans supported parental spanking. This paper examines student misbehavior, school discipline, prevention, treatment, and punishment in U.S. society Currently, 23 states still allow paddling in schools, and most states do not allow the spanking of foster children. As of 1994, all but a few of the national organizations representing children had taken a stand against corporal punishment in the schools, and some, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, were reconsidering their positions on parental spanking. Even so, Americans' punitive public policy toward misbehavior, deviance, and non-conformity portrays a society which prefers solutions based on punishment rather than prevention and rehabilitation. Schools have to struggle with punitive, scientifically discredited, and outmoded approaches to problems of student misbehavior, partly because of public policies and legislation. It should also be expected that educators likewise reflect the punitive attitudes of society. But conditions are changing and many policy makers have recognized the causes of misbehavior and violence and are working to address these conditions. Child abuse laws, protection from spousal abuse, drug treatment programs, juvenile justice, and the schools have gradually moved away from the United States' punitive roots. Contains 85 references. (RJM)