Physically Disciplining Kids - Essay Example

The Case against Physically Disciplining Kids Insert Name Course, Class, Semester Institution Instructor Date The Case against Physically Disciplining Kids Introduction Child discipline is one among the many controversial issues in the fields of social science and psychology. While many social scientists in the contemporary world argue against child spanking, other stick to they believe that spanking is the single most effective way of teaching a child what is right. Apparently, psychologists believe that the manner in which the parent disciplines a child defines the future relationships between the child and their parents. Webb (2011) argues that there is a connection between the manner in which a parent handles their child, and the manner in which such children are likely to relate to other people, especially their fellow children, both at school and at the home setting. It may be essential to mention that the spanking debate has been one of the most controversial debates in the contemporary social world. With either side holding strong points I favor of their view, researchers have set out to establish the most appropriate way of instilling discipline in a child. This paper endeavors to explain the various arguments against physically disciplining kids. Background of the Topic Apparently, corporal punishment, as physical discipline is commonly referred to, has its roots in the 10th century BC. Notably, the concept is as old as human conflicts. Corporal punishment is as well associated with the beginning of the social class system. The various social classes caused differential treatment in society. According to Turner (2009) corporal punishment was a common characteristic of the relationship between the noble class and the slaves. The fact that the slaves were perceived as being lesser beings was the main reason behind such smacking. Later, as human conflicts crept into the family unit and child behaviors got out of control following various changes in the social order, parents resorted to physically instilling pain on the child. Such physical corrections were based on the belief that human beings dislike pain, but like pleasure. Corporal punishment was used for quite a long time as the sole method of correcting children. With the emergence of formal institutions, the corporal punishment concept was institutionalized. The Study of the human mind brought up the idea that, constructive correctional methods were more effective than corporal punishment. This marked the beginning of the spanking debate. The Argument against Physically Disciplining Kids Hart (2006) argues that, according to the findings of many researches by psychologists into the issue of smacking children indicates that the habit of punishing children through physical means creates an endless cycle of aggression and child abuse. Essentially, what this means is that when a parent hits a child, the child will assume that the parents hit him or her because the parent is physically stronger than the kid, and that the parent was annoyed at the child for some reason. This way, the child will record it in their mind that when a person that is physically weaker or smaller than them annoys them, the best solution is to hit them hard. Consequently, the child may be violent towards their smaller peers at school or in the neighborhood. Loseke and Best (2003) argues that once such a cycle has been created, the society will eventually be a violent one, with the weak and the small being the main victims. The second argument against physical discipline is the reality that such corporal discipline may result in injuries. Contrary to common misconceptions, such injuries are both physical and emotional. Speaking of the more common type – the physical injuries, Barnett et al (2005) argue that cases have been reported where physical punishments resulted in bruises, fractures and even death, in extreme cases. Such things may perpetuate family stress, arguably, one of the most common causes of family breakups in the contemporary world. Parents have in many cases differed on the way through which children should be disciplined. When such differences occur, and a child happens to get hurt in the process of being beaten, one parent may seek a divorce as a way of protecting the child from the aggression of the other parent. Such family breakups affect the children’s development adversely. Rosemond (2009) believes that when a child acquires injuries in the process of being smacked, they develop negative feelings towards the parent, something that is likely to cause a serious rebellion in the family as the children grow. The third reason why corporal punishment should be shunned at all cost is because, according to psychologists, the method is not any effective. Turner (2009) notes that according to researches carried out by social scientists and psychologists, the children that are punished through physical means, do not respect the parents. Instead they only learn to fear them. Further Turner (2009) explains that there is a significant difference between fear and respect. With fear, the child will be tempted to be rebellious as they grow, since the fear will gradually fade away. On the contrary, respect is a long standing value that will come as a result of the child seeing the wisdom in the parent. Arguably, a child cannot see such respect, unless the parent is diplomatic enough to amicably discipline the child. Psychologists argue that deprivation of drivers of pleasure, such as toys, is a good way of disciplining a child. Additionally, such social scientists argue that counseling and guiding the children can be substantially effective in making the child see the sense in what the parents are against. Rebuttal: The Opposing Ideas Those holding ideas contrary to the above discussion argue that physical punishment is the most effective way of training children on how to avoid greater problems. For instance, Webb (2011) explicates that the proponents of corporal punishment argue that it is acceptable to physically slap the hand of a child who is about to touch the electric socket on the wall, as this will teach the child that if they touch such a device, they will experience greater pain. Additionally, the proponents of corporal punishment argue that such corporal punishment does not always hurt the kids. In fact, they argue, it is not as hurtful as the pain it is trying to protect the child against. Barnett (2005) argues that according to the proponents of corporal punishment, the concept is a way of bringing about deterrence in both the home setting, as well as the institutional setting. Apparently, when a child sees their peers punished for having done a certain thing wrong, they will not engage in such things. For instance, the proponents of physical punishment argue that when a parent thoroughly beats up a sibling that has been caught smoking marijuana, it is quite unlikely that the rest of his siblings will partake of the same. They will desist from such conduct, for the fear that if they engage in such conduct, they will be subjected to the same treatment. On the contrary, the proponents of corporal punishment argue that constructive disciplinary action may only be effective in disciplining one child at a time. The constructive methods, they say, are not effective in upholding deterrence. According to Rosemond (2009), the proponents of corporal punishment cite religious books as being the most prominent advocates of smacking the children. Both the Bible and the Quran encourage the physical punishment of children. As such the proponents argue that physical punishment is a Godly way of bringing up children. From the Bible, for instance, corporal punishment dates back to the 10th century BC, during the times of King Solomon. Solomon, being the king of wisdom, was in support of the punishments. As such, proponents of physical punishment, attach it to wisdom. Conclusion In conclusion, it is plain to see that from the above discussions, both sides of the topic have equally strong arguments. The side against physical discipline of children argues that the corporal corrections are not effective as they only create fear and not respect. Additionally, the opponents of physical punishment argue that the method of instilling discipline can cause bitter relations between the child and the parent and may cause family breakups. Additionally, they argue that corporally disciplining children makes them aggressive towards others. The proponents of corporal punishments argue that physical discipline has a religious backing. They as well contend that physical discipline does not cause injuries if well administered. Finally, they argue that physical discipline is worthwhile, as it deters more harm. From a close analysis of the two sides, it is clear that from a moral and legal perspective, constructive disciplinary methods are more effective. In my recommendation, I would call for action to the effect that the laws make corporal punishment illegal while encouraging constructive means of instilling discipline. References Barnett, O. W., Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Perrin, R. D. (2005). Family violence across the lifespan: An introduction. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications. Hart, B. (2006). It takes a parent: How the culture of pushover parenting is hurting our kids--and what to do about it. New York: Penguin Group. Loseke, D. R., & Best, J. (2003). Social problems: Constructionist readings. New York: Aldine de Gruyter. Rosemond, J. K. (2009). The well-behaved child: Discipline that really works!. Nashville, Tenn: Thomas Nelson. Turner, S. M. (2009). Something to cry about: An argument against corporal punishment of children in Canada. Waterloo, Ont: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Webb, W. J. (2011). Corporal punishment in the Bible: A redemptive-movement hermeneutic for troubling texts. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic. Read More