Child Discipline

The contention that a good spanking never did anyone any harm is wrong, as the preponderance of psychological literature shows. Despite James Dobson's (1970) Dare to Discipline, a work which dared parents to discipline their children into more respectful and self-disciplined behavior, hitting children has not been recommended by most psychologists as a strategy for disciplining children. The dangers of accidental injury to children, the links with child abuse, the possibility of future psychosexual ramifications, and the fact that corporal punishment just doesn't work, are among the reasons cited for not spanking children.

On the other hand, Dobson (1970) argues against "extreme permissiveness," and proceeds to make a connection between it and the absence of physical coercion. Dobson's (1970) views will be examined as an alternative to more generally accepted views from the scientific literature. Finally, techniques from the field of behavioral psychology will be offered as alternatives to spanking, or other forms of physical coercion.

In Children Are People Too: The Case Against Physical Punishment, Newell (1989) asserts, "There is an injustice and illogicality in suggesting that it is acceptable to hit children, but that it is quite unacceptable for them to hit others, or for adults to hit anyone else. Hitting people is wrong--and children are people too" (p. 12). Thus begins Newell's (1989) logical and ethical argument against physical coercion. His argument

Related Essays

Dare to Discipline .... simply love. Both components have to be there in every interaction with the child in order for discipline to take place. Dr. Dobson .... (1625 7 )

The disadvantaged child .... Self-discipline is the flip side of motivation. Without discipline the child will not be motivated to work and try to succeed at school. .... (1735 7 )

Child Neglect Intervention The purpose of this paper is to pr .... in the intervention condition received group training to increase their self-control, self-esteem, interpersonal communication, and child discipline skills and .... (1589 6 )

Discipline in Schools A current concern of the adult pop .... discipline program in place. The average child in the United States is not learning discipline and self-control at home. It is up to .... (2239 9 )

Maternal Discipline Behavior Article: Arnold, EH & O'Leary, SG ( .... 1995). The effect of child negative affect on maternal discipline behavior. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23(5), 585-594. .... (683 3 )

gressive if his parents prevent or stop the occurrence of aggressive outbursts instead of passively letting them go on, but prevent them by other means than punishment or threats of retaliation" (Newell, 1989, p. 36). Dobson (1970) is concerned with the undesirable consequences of "ultimate permissiveness" (p. 46). After outlining a veritable catalog of the negative consequences of disciplinary measures, he still maintains that the consequences of ultimate permissiveness are tragic. Dobson's (1970) negative consequences of spanking include: "a child suffers the humiliation of total domination . . . The atmosphere is icy and rigid, and he lives in constant fear. He is unable to make his own decisions and his personality is squelched beneath the hobnailed boot of parental authority. Lasting characteristics of dependency, overwhelming hostility, and psychosis can emerge from this overbearing oppression" (p. 46). It is important to consider that these negative consequences of spanking are from a proponent of spanking! In Dobson's (1970) defense, he does appear to believe in treating children with respect and dignity. Moreover, he appears to only advocate hitting children on the hands or backside. He claims that pain, properl

Category: Psychology - C