Punishment Devolution: The Missing Link in Rearing Today's Children

The effective use of punishment has become the “missing link” in rearing the current generation of children. Our poor disciplinary practices have led to the proliferation of rude, disrespectful, and rebellious behavior, which is becoming increasingly more characteristic of today’s youth. Punishment, if properly administered, stops unruly behavior. Moreover, the threat of punishment can serve as a catalyst for motivating the child to act more respectfully and cooperatively in order to avoid its future application. The use of punishment should be an integral part of our child rearing practices. It can teach children to evaluate the consequences of their actions and to learn from their mistakes. While some persons equate punishment with abuse, this is hardly the case. The proper administration of punishment can be of the utmost significance in teaching our children to behave humanely toward each other and those adults who care for them.