schiavitù

**Schiaffitù** (Italian for "whipping") refers to the practice of administering physical punishment, often involving lashes, as a form of correction or discipline, historically prevalent in various societies. The term can encompass both legal and informal contexts, though its use has varied significantly over time and across cultures.

In historical contexts, particularly in European societies, whipping was sometimes employed as a form of punishment for crimes, misdemeanors, or as a disciplinary measure within institutions like schools, prisons, or military units. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, corporal punishment was still legally recognized in some countries, though its application declined with the rise of human rights movements. Today, whipping is widely considered cruel and degrading, aligning with international human rights standards that prohibit inhuman treatment.

Beyond legal frameworks, whipping has also been practiced in religious or cultural traditions, such as certain forms of penance or initiation rituals. In some contexts, it remains a subject of debate, with arguments both for its necessity as a deterrent or re-educative tool and against its violation of bodily autonomy and dignity.

Modern perspectives generally reject whipping as a legitimate form of discipline, favoring non-physical methods like counseling, education, or restorative justice. Its use is now largely restricted to historical or symbolic contexts, though its legacy persists in discussions about punishment, gender dynamics, and the evolution of societal values.