Child Rearing and Physical Punishment - Essay Example

CHILD REARING: IS PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT NECESSARY OR TOO HARSH? ABSTRACT Discipline is of utmost importance in rearing a child, but is corporal punishment the only solution to inculcate disciplinary traits? , has been a debatable question since decades. Professional have researched and put forward their views and opinions in regard of the use of corporal punishment, its constructive and uncertain prolonged effects in the future. The following study reveals the effectivity of punishment in facilitating learning and growth of a child. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Physical punishment in child rearing is the corporeal contact by a parent with the intention of changing or altering the child’s behaviour by the use of an unlikable and painful mean which might not necessarily be called as a child abuse. Corporal punishment could be inflicted in various forms, inducing pain, shaking, smacking, spanking, kicking, kneeling, pulling, pinching to various other forms of retribution but their intensity and harshness depends upon the frequency, duration and the harm caused to a the recipient. However, the significance of physical punishment is dubious among psychologists, few of them regard it to be undisruptive and necessary in some situations while professional also consider it to be destructive and detrimental in nature. Though researchers have stressed on the ill effects of punishment in the form of aggression, frustration etc but many of them have hypothesized it to be both positive and negative in nature. POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT According to the surveys done, psychologists such as Anderson, Leviton and Maurer have suggested that physical punishment can be an effective tool in inculcating socializing attributes in a child. National surveys have reported that parents from all over the world, especially from America, Asia and many more countries use physical punishment as an important gizmo in raising their children especially who are under eight years old. Spatz Widom in his research found out that even by applying extensive parental abuse, situations might not lead to aggression (Elizabeth Kandel, 1992). The harshness of physical punishment depends upon the degree of aggression and the extent of injury which a child has to undergo, and the intention of a parent in enacting such kind of behaviour. An action taken for the growth and development of a child in not so offensive and extensive manner may be one component of physical punishment but not child abuse. Ordinary or normal punishment is mild and not a part of brutal results like bruises, scars, broken bones etc while abusive punishment is strictly banned and opposed not only by the psychologists but even the government intervention has made it loud and clear to prohibit such actions. Special research published in the August 2006 special edition of the Cross-Cultural Research: the Journal of Comparative Social Science have supported the use of physical punishment. In a research paper by David Benatar, 2001, consequentialist theories of punishment have reflected upon the positive aspects of corporal punishment, even for the retrubutivists , punishment is acceptable so far as the means of inducing pains are normal and for the betterment of the child. Studies reveal that a handful number of parents and teachers who use physical abuse instead of punishment do not entail the result of complete denial of physical punishment. Excessive use of smoking is condemned in regard to mild or moderate use of it; in the same manner abusive punishment is strongly opposed but not the non abusive use of corporal punishment. Benatar , 2001 supports his view point of usefulness of punishment by stating the fact that severe punishments are inflicted upon people in prisons which is the extreme means of degrading one's standards, is such norms are permissible in the current scenario of prison lives then under no conditions can one oppose punishment of children on the grounds of degradation. It is argued that corporal punishment has severe psychological effects like depression, lowered self-esteem, frustration etc but a famous psychologist Murray Straus, has investigated that there is no real evidence or proof to support the fact that infrequent non injurious corporal punishment can increase one's chances of being depressed or having increased level of anxiety or fretfulness. If children are punished for genuine wrong doing such as lying, cheating, stealing etc, and then the use of corporal punishment is completely justifiable. It is often said that corporate punishment teaches wrong lessons rather therapy and other means should be used but providing therapy for cure of unacceptable behavior makes the recipient feel like a sick and abnormal patient. According to Benatar, 2001, there is insufficient evidence that even the limited use of corporal punishment causes increased violence. In the study conducted by the (Maxwell G, 1993), mothers and children were interviewed and asked about their own experience on imparting corporal punishment; mothers, almost 30% did accept the fact that physical punishment was necessary for child rearing, however the viewpoint of people when interviewed in 1981 and in 1992 has drastic changes, contemporary reflections of parents support the elimination of harsh methods and regarded to be as an undesirable means of correction ((Maxwell G, 1993), NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Retrospective, cross-sectional and prospective studies have revealed the fact that a positive relationship exists between physical punishment and aggressive behavior. Distorted relationships between the parents and the children, distraction from learning, lack of confidence in a child, development of negative attitude are some of the severe conditions which may creep up in a child’s unmitigated personality (Back S, viewed on 21st July, 2008). Various research studies have indicated the development of negative behaviors including deep state of depression, suicidal tendencies, and anti-social contemplations in children who have been victims of such child abuse. Parental Delinquencies can lead to undisciplined, distorted topsy – turvy homes which can only lead to disobedient and irrational behaviour of the children, such circumstances require complete change and not the enforcement of personal grudges on the child who has to bear the brunt of the negative environment by the infliction of physical punishment. Psychologists who believe that corporal punishment should never be a part of the methods invoked by parents and teachers in upbringing of a child mainly focus on the aspects of abuse, degradation, psychological disruption, poor relations. A firm argument which favours abolition of physical punishment is the scale of punishments. As per the latest data collected maximum physical punishment is used by the parents in their home and has been completely banned in 23 countries so far. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The Canadian Pediatric Society, England's Royal College of Paediatrics, all support the view that "Physical punishment has limited success rates and massive negative and detrimental affects in the long run". According to AAP, parents and teachers too must be properly assisted and trained to deal with the problematic children in applying innovative and fruitful methods of development other than spanking and smashing for dealing and managing with the unwanted behavior of a child. End Physical Punishment of Children- EPOCH was formed in 1992 to eliminate physical punishment , as the organization uphold the viewpoint that forms of physical punishment are not only morally and ethically wrong but they don't even produce the desired effects.. Gershoff in 2002 conducted a Meta analysis of 92 studies on corporal punishment, and found out that such action resulted in only one major outcome that was immediate compliance of the action however, ongoing compliance which was the major concern for most of the parents could not be adhered too far by the children, hence the use of punishment did not result in appropriate long term positive effects. Problematic behaviors were found in the children later after four or five years of receiving punishments. Researchers have dwelled deep into the topic to reflect on the behavioral and characters traits of the parents while using the punitive measures. Psychologists such as Sears, Macoby and Levin have reported a marked distinction between the resultant behaviors of children where physical punishment used by affectionate and warm mothers have proven to be valuable while hostile, intimidating attitude of harsh mothers resulted in abysmal results. Effectiveness of physical punishment can be observed only when it is consistent and not erratic in nature, has a logical reasoning and rationality supported by a warm, caring and loving relationship with the child. Physical Punishments is also linked with cultural factors, inmost societies it is common that boys are more exposed to spanking and hitting in comparison to a girl child as in the case of America whereas sin some cultures girls are treated more brutally than boys as in Jamaica where the laws and traditions are extremely stringent for girls. However, in Alaska, it is believed that correction can be made in the quietest forms, it is not necessary that harsh means of correctness be used to deal with critical situations. Yet Traditional culture did permit signs of corporal abuse but the contemporary world firmly stands against it. Parents could be charged for abusing their children if the hitting exceeds the cultural norms (Murray A. Straus, 1999). PUNISHMENT IS UNNECESSARY Many people are of the view that corporal punishment by the parents to instill discipline in a child is a must but there has been a refinement world wide to oppose punishment of any sort in the home or by the parents and the teachers. Sweden was the first country to initiate such action followed by many more (Prohibition of corporal punishment: an international overview, 2005). It is been regarded that physical punishment is just not required rather a change in the environment to prevent the unwanted behaviour is required. Positive re-enforcement and analyses of the unwanted behaviour is required. Various means of distracting a child from problematic situations need to be identified; clear and firm commands are to be imparted to a child with proper reasoning and sense. Negotiations, deprivement from privileges and rewards to ensure conformity of action could be used if necessary. The United Nation Convention on the Rights of the child believes in protecting the child from all forms of physical and mental violence, laying down the minimum standards for the child's protection. According to Patmalar Ambikapathy, 2006, even if physical punishment does not result in any bodily injury or harm but still emotional hazards are observed in long term effects. In 21st century, it is highly unacceptable and unreasonable to support the punitive measures, medical, physiological, criminological research done strongly condemn and provide adequate evidence conclusive evidence that negative and abusive forms of child rearing impact have an adverse effect on child's psychology as well as the society at large. CONCLUSION Punishment does not always have to be violent, physical or brutal, social and emotional manipulations can also be means of administering adverse and undesirable behaviour of a child. Consistency and reasoning can help a child to get accustomed to the required situational conduct and manners. The cognitive skills and self development attributes can be well imbibed by a child when he is exposed to a clear and logical interpretation of the act. Scientists and practitioners strongly believe that parents should be inducted and oriented about the usage of non-violent methods of child rearing. Punishment is justified in cases where infrequent pain is inflicted without any sign of injury or hurt, there should be no discrimination as far as race, caste, sex and other forms of biasness exist, punishment must be invoked only on the guilty and not on the innocent and to the extent in proportion of the wrong done. Timely enforcement of punishment depending upon the circumstance and the age of the doer must be considered. Every year on 30th April, "International No Smacking Day –Choose to Hug Not Hit” is celebrated to create awareness among the parents about adopting peaceful means of child rearing and conflict resolution at homes for better future. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Prohibition of corporal punishment: an international overview, Cyc-Online, Reading for Child and youth care people, , Issue 85, Article 19, Volume 1 Number 3, December 2005, pp.10-11 http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0206-article19.html 2. Benatar D, Oct 2001, Corporal Punishment, Corpun, World Corporal Punishment Research, viewed on 21st July,2008, http://www.corpun.com/benatar.htm 3. Murray A. Straus, October 5, 1999, Is it time to ban corporal punishment of children ?CMAJ , ; 161 (7), viewed on 21st July, 2008, http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/excerpts/donnelly_punishment.pdf 4. Elizabeth Kandel, June 1992, Physical Punishment and The Development of Aggressive and Violent Behavior: A Review, http://www.neverhitachild.org/areview.html. 5. Gabrielle Maxwell , Physical Punishment Of Children In The Home : New Zealand Research, Family Matters no.36 December 1993, pp.46-47, http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm/fm36gm.html 6. Patmalar Ambikapathy , 3rd May, 2006, End Physical Punishment of Children, viewed on 21st July, 2008,http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/339558.html 7. Back S, Alternatives to Corporal Punishment, 1996, viewed on 21st July, 2008,http://www.san.beck.org/Punishment-Alternatives.html Read More

Ordinary or normal punishment is mild and not a part of brutal results like bruises, scars, broken bones etc while abusive punishment is strictly banned and opposed not only by the psychologists but even the government intervention has made it loud and clear to prohibit such actions. Special research published in the August 2006 special edition of the Cross-Cultural Research: the Journal of Comparative Social Science have supported the use of physical punishment. In a research paper by David Benatar, 2001, consequentialist theories of punishment have reflected upon the positive aspects of corporal punishment, even for the retrubutivists , punishment is acceptable so far as the means of inducing pains are normal and for the betterment of the child.

Studies reveal that a handful number of parents and teachers who use physical abuse instead of punishment do not entail the result of complete denial of physical punishment. Excessive use of smoking is condemned in regard to mild or moderate use of it; in the same manner abusive punishment is strongly opposed but not the non abusive use of corporal punishment. Benatar , 2001 supports his view point of usefulness of punishment by stating the fact that severe punishments are inflicted upon people in prisons which is the extreme means of degrading one's standards, is such norms are permissible in the current scenario of prison lives then under no conditions can one oppose punishment of children on the grounds of degradation.

It is argued that corporal punishment has severe psychological effects like depression, lowered self-esteem, frustration etc but a famous psychologist Murray Straus, has investigated that there is no real evidence or proof to support the fact that infrequent non injurious corporal punishment can increase one's chances of being depressed or having increased level of anxiety or fretfulness. If children are punished for genuine wrong doing such as lying, cheating, stealing etc, and then the use of corporal punishment is completely justifiable.

It is often said that corporate punishment teaches wrong lessons rather therapy and other means should be used but providing therapy for cure of unacceptable behavior makes the recipient feel like a sick and abnormal patient. According to Benatar, 2001, there is insufficient evidence that even the limited use of corporal punishment causes increased violence. In the study conducted by the (Maxwell G, 1993), mothers and children were interviewed and asked about their own experience on imparting corporal punishment; mothers, almost 30% did accept the fact that physical punishment was necessary for child rearing, however the viewpoint of people when interviewed in 1981 and in 1992 has drastic changes, contemporary reflections of parents support the elimination of harsh methods and regarded to be as an undesirable means of correction ((Maxwell G, 1993), NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Retrospective, cross-sectional and prospective studies have revealed the fact that a positive relationship exists between physical punishment and aggressive behavior.

Distorted relationships between the parents and the children, distraction from learning, lack of confidence in a child, development of negative attitude are some of the severe conditions which may creep up in a child’s unmitigated personality (Back S, viewed on 21st July, 2008). Various research studies have indicated the development of negative behaviors including deep state of depression, suicidal tendencies, and anti-social contemplations in children who have been victims of such child abuse.

Parental Delinquencies can lead to undisciplined, distorted topsy – turvy homes which can only lead to disobedient and irrational behaviour of the children, such circumstances require complete change and not the enforcement of personal grudges on the child who has to bear the brunt of the negative environment by the infliction of physical punishment. Psychologists who believe that corporal punishment should never be a part of the methods invoked by parents and teachers in upbringing of a child mainly focus on the aspects of abuse, degradation, psychological disruption, poor relations.

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