Issue 9 | 13 Jan. 2007

Physical Punishment Yes / No

A three year old fell out of an upper story window and was killed. The mother, who was out of the house at the time, was incredulous as well as grief stricken. “I always spanked him for going near the open window,” she said. As a matter of fact she had just spanked him for the same offence and had felt so bad about it that she had gone out to get him some ice cream when the tragedy struck. One cannot help wondering if the child ever understood what he was spanked for. This is what happens invariably in majority of the cases.

The use of physical punishment is quiet common to ‘get things done‘. The use of physical punishment in home and school has been widely debated. Some believe it is a means of discipline while others call it abuse. Whatever, it is indisputably damaging to a child’s growth. It could lead to emotional and physical problems. 

Why is the commitment to spanking so strong? Some common reasons are:

• It appears effective (that is, it does stop the misbehavior. BUT no more effectively than other techniques.

• It’s taken for granted in our culture.

• Personal experience. Adults who were spanked frequently or moderately are much more advocates and users of spanking than are those who didn’t experience it.

• Unaware of alternatives.

• Do not believe that the alternatives are effective.

As a counselor I have witnessed the hazardous effects of physical punishment and its unintended consequences. I have also seen that it doesn’t work (not in the long run). It does not have a long-lasting effect on behavior, although it creates all kinds of side effects.    

The teacher and parent acting as a model, teaches that hitting is a solution to problems and that people can hit if they are big enough and in a position of power. It is consistent (and confusing) to tell a child that inflicting pain and being violent is inappropriate and then to inflict pain to modify that child’s behavior. 

(Mrs. Meera Ravi, family counselor, will offer tips to parents on handling difficult situations in the coming issues. Interested can contact her at Prerana Academy for Growth and Guidance, No. 34/14 38th A Cross, 3rd Main, 8th Block, Jayanagar, B‘lore-82, Ph 26566808, 32942250, 99800 72005 or log on to 
www. preranaacademy.com.)