The Effective Tool for Childhood Discipline - Research Paper Example

?Alicia Pritchett Ms. L. Spain English 102 (12:30 45) November 30, Is Childhood Discipline Effective? Introduction Parents want only the best for their children. As rearing children pose diverse challenges in terms of ensuring that the most appropriate behavior would be manifested through life, parents are accorded different techniques on how to discipline their offspring. The issues concerning childhood discipline have currently emerged as controversial due to the use of corporal punishment, deemed by several researchers, to be the most effective method for childhood discipline. In this regard, the current research contends that responsible and non-abusive forms of childhood discipline, other than corporal punishment, should be the most effective tool for disciplining one’s children. The essay would hereby initially trace the historical background of using corporal punishment, particularly smacking, as a tool for childhood discipline. In addition, the discourse would present a general overview of different positions or contentions on the issue of smacking as the most effective technique for childhood discipline. Finally, the concluding portion would highlight the crucial points discussed and present a speculation and recommendation on the most effective tool for childhood discipline in the future. Relevant History and Background The roots of corporal punishment could be traced from the earliest published article in a periodical, the San Francisco Call, dated March 23, 1893 entitled “Slap or Spank?: School Punishment Query in Alameda” where the School Board of Alameda supposedly sought to determine the manner by which parents would agree and stipulate the kind of chastisement to be used to discipline the children (corpun.com 1). At that time, the contents of the article generated different reactions and responses from school administrators, teacher and parents; with the final recommendation that “the general verdict of all those seen is to the effect that the spanking process is far superior to the regulation strap method, but all concurred in saying that the best way of all in such matters was to leave it entirely with the teachers, who should be kept within bounds regarding the severity of the punishment inflicted by rules laid down by the Board of Education” (corpun.com 1). Suffice it to say that even at the earliest published article on corporal punishment through spanking or smacking, the issue was elicited diverse and conflicting arguments. Some parents averred that they do not want their children to be spanked at all. Other parents support smacking on prescribed areas of the body, but never on the face. And still, surprisingly, one parent remarked that “’taken across the knee and spanked, by all means. That's the old way, and I have found it very efficient.’ And the obedience of the little ones clustered about her was good evidence of the truth of the statement” (corpun.com 1). These diverse reactions have evolved through centuries and until contemporary times, smacking continues to be a controversial issue. In current times, Gershoff and Larzelere disclosed that, “corporal punishment remains a widely used discipline technique in most American families, but it has also been a subject of controversy within the child development and psychological communities” (par. 1). The controversial nature is clearly depicted from the contradictory arguments advocated by parents, to wit: “The consultation document issued this month by the Department of Health on the physical punishment of children states clearly that ‘many parents would welcome support in learning effective measures of disciplining their child which do not involve physical punishment’ while adding that ‘there may still be occasions when parents … may consider it appropriate to discipline a child through physical punishment’” (Waterston 261). In this regard, parents, social workers, health professionals and policymakers all provide different perspectives on the subject of corporal punishment through disciplinary spanking or smacking versus other alternative approaches for childhood discipline. Overview of Different Positions The Canadian Pediatric Society published an article entitled "Effective discipline for children" on the Paediatric Child Health which established the goal of effective discipline as fostering “acceptable and appropriate behaviour in the child and to raise emotionally mature adults. A disciplined person is able to postpone pleasure, is considerate of the needs of others, is assertive without being aggressive or hostile, and can tolerate discomfort when necessary” (Canadian Pediatric Society 37). As emphasized, this organization contends that “physicians strongly discourage disciplinary spanking and all other forms of physical punishment. Physical redirection or restraint to support time-out or to prevent a child from harming himself or others may be necessary, but should be done carefully and without violence” (Canadian Pediatric Society 40). In another point of view, Waterston revealed that various organizations such as “End Physical Punishment of Children, Save the Children, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children already provide guidance on positive discipline without smacking. The Health Education Authority advises on positive parenting and against smacking” (Waterston 262). Generally, psychologists have argued the validity of corporate punishments as an effective tool for child discipline. Although, they agree that effective disciplining is still the responsibility of parents; where effective and positive discipline was stressed as “teaching and guiding children, not just forcing them to obey” (Canadian Pediatric Society 37), the use of corporal punishment was contended to put the children more at risk of escalating to greater negative outcomes. Gershoff averred that “there is general consensus that corporal punishment is effective in getting children to comply immediately while at the same time there is caution from child abuse researchers that corporal punishment by its nature can escalate into physical maltreatment” (Gershoff and Larzelere par. 5). The confounding factors that need to be closely accounted for when evaluating the effectivity of corporal punishment are the frequently of using it, the forcefulness of administration, the level of emotional arousal when applied, and whether this approach is combined with other techniques for childhood discipline (Gershoff and Larzelere par. 7). Further, cultural values and traditions are also considered factors that influence the application of corporal punishment (Canadian Pediatric Society 41). In addition, “special attention should be given to the child’s age, level of development and temperament when giving advice on effective means of discipline” (Canadian Pediatric Society 41). Some forms of discipline, such as time-out, reasoning or away-from-the-moment discussions were expounded to be most applicable depending on the age of the children. For time-out, it has been revealed that children from two through primary age in school would benefit most from this technique (Canadian Pediatric Society 40). On the other hand, the reasoning or away-from-the-moment discussions are most applicable to children with ages five years and above. After all concerns have been taken into consideration, one clearly established that responsible and non-abusive forms of childhood discipline, other than corporal punishment, should be the most effective tool for disciplining one’s children. Parents should recognize that as recommended by psychologists, health professionals and global organizations have emphasized that corporal punishment should not be practiced as a tool for effective childhood discipline due to the negative outcomes that have been found to effect on children. Gershoff noted that “for one, corporal punishment on its own does not teach children right from wrong. Secondly, although it makes children afraid to disobey when parents are present, when parents are not present to administer the punishment those same children will misbehave” (Gershoff and Larzelere par. 9). Other forms of discipline have been found to be more effective and lasting in instilling the appropriate behavior that would form lasting and positive imprints in the personalities of children as they develop and grow. Conclusion The future of effective discipline for children could manifest the universal support in promoting other responsible and non-abusive forms of childhood discipline, other than corporal punishment. With more studies and researches being published by experts in the field of child development, parents, educators and health practitioners are made more aware of the negative consequences that corporal punishments inflict on children. As society have always shun violence and abuse in various forms, the most effective way to instill a positive learning and caring environment to children is to preclude the use of corporal punishment through spanking or smacking, which is a form of physical punishment. To respond to the question: Is childhood discipline effective? The answer would be affirmative; as long as positive values and actions are promoted and supportive of the goal of effective discipline: that of foster acceptable and appropriate behaviour in the child through positive learning environment, through manifesting love and support, and through the elimination of undesired negative outcomes to ensure that children are raised to become emotionally mature adults. One hereby recommends that parents must be vigilant and open to accept innovative forms of discipline that has been verified and validated to be most effective for childhood discipline. Despite the traditional means of spanking and smacking as seen to be effective and promulgated in past generations, contemporary researches have discovered relevant links between child aggression and anti-social behavior resulting from corporal punishment. It would therefore be helpful to keep abreast of current updates on the subject and be willing to learn from the experts that more effective means of disciplining one’s children could be used without worrying on future negative outcomes that corporal punishment would accord. Works Cited Canadian Pediatric Society. "Effective discipline for children." Paediatric Child Health (2004): Vol. 9, No. 1, 37-41. corpun.com. Slap Or Spank? 23 March 1893. 28 November 2011 . Gershoff, Elizabeth and Robert Larzelere. Is Corporal Punishment an Effective Means of Discipline? 26 June 2002. 20 November 2011 . Waterston, Tony. "Giving guidance on child discipline." British Medical Journal (2000): 320(7230), 261–262. Read More