Poisonous pedagogy, or black pedagogy (from German schwarze Pädagogik), refers to traditional child-raising methods now considered repressive and harmful, encompassing manipulative or violent behaviors, including extreme corporal punishment. The concept was introduced by Katharina Rutschky in her 1977 work and widely used by psychologist Alice Miller, who argued it damages a child's emotional development, potentially leading to adult dysfunctions and neuroses. Miller contended that these practices often stem from the belief that children possess "seeds of evil" that must be eradicated, manifesting as actions like beating children for lying or denying an infant food to "teach patience." Rutschky's definition emphasizes its aim to instill a rigid social superego, toughen children, and instrumentalize their bodies for societal functions through methods like psychological pain, totalitarian supervision, and the denial of basic needs. Historically, such disciplinary methods were widespread, appearing in ancient Roman texts and the biblical Proverbs 13:24; however, modern views have shifted, with Germany notably abolishing the parental right to discipline children in 2000.