On Mon, 11 Oct 1999, Robert Herdegen wrote:
>
> >
> It does strike me, however, that there is basic confusion shown by this
> question between "discipline" and "corporal punishment." Discipline
> can be provided through a variety of means other than physical
> punishment. I can discipline my 6 year old daughter without having to
> "[get] the belt and spanking [her] for inappropriate behavior."
> Consider the alternatives to corporal punishment, including such things
> as time out, extinction procedures, and reinforcement schedules (e.g.,
> DRO). Lack of discipline <underline>may</underline> lead to the sorts
> of social problems mentioned above, but that doesn't mean that a lack
> of "corporal punishment" does.
>
>
> Finally, Michael asks for evidence that coporal punishment is harmful,
> but in the next-to-last sentence suggests "that the authoritarian way
> of parenting works very well in the non-Eurocentric world and so does
> discipline,spanking,and a good licking." Where's the evidence,
> Michael? What does it mean to say that "it works very well"? What are
> the costs involved in achieving whatever success you are referring to?
>
The evidence may not be an article and just because it is not published
does not mean that it does not exist.Why don't you try this:
do a survey of all international students,immigrants in your area and ask
them how is discipline instilled in children in their homelands,you will
inevitably find a great percentage saying that they were corporally
punished not only by parents but also by teachers.
And ask them why do they think that some teens in the U.S are
disrespectful of society and adults and they are likely to attribute
this to a lack of physical punishment on teens in the U.S.
Was not there a guy who got cained in Singapore for writing graffiti
on the walls?
Re time-out: not appropriate in East Timorese society.
Michael Sylvester
Daytona Beach,Florida
