Researches show that severe punishments have detrimental effects on children and punishing is not the right way to discipline them. Learn about the ill effects of severe punishments on children.Physical or severe punishments were considered to be effective and even necessary to discipline children not very long time from now. However, wide range of negative developmental outcomes has been noticed by experts and it is not recommended to opt for any kind of punishment for kids.
Negative Side Effects of Punishments on Kids
Have a quick look at the negative effects of punishing kids.
- Does not develop positive behaviour.
- Associated with increased child aggression.
- Punishments merely teach what not to do.
- Leads to antisocial behaviour.
- Causes avoidance in behaviour. Children try to avoid the person who punishes them.
- Results in suppression of undesirable behaviour.
- Results in a sort of behavioural contraction which means the child tries to avoid the conduct or action that led her to punishment.
- Makes the child think that punishment is a good way to solve problems.
- Leads to lower intellectual achievement.
- Leads to retaliatory behaviour.
- Leads to poor quality child-parent relationship.
- Leads to negative self-evaluation and the child starts feeling bad about herself.
- Leads to mental health problems.
- Diminished moral internalisation.
Harmful Effects of Severe Punishments on Kids
Here are some of the harmful effects of punishing kids severely.
Aggression
Physical punishments make children aggressive. Even if it initially seems to stop the behaviour, it ultimately makes the child more aggressive.
Physical Abuse
Researches show that children, who receive physical
punishment in childhood, treat their children the same way. They believe that hitting people helps solve many problems and they find it right.
Reduced Emotional Development
Children who receive severe physical punishment can be impaired emotionally. Psychological disturbances like
low self-esteem, attention disorders, brain damage and substance abuse are likely to be seen in these children. When these kids head towards adulthood, they develop poor social skills, anxiety and
depression.
Impaired Cognitive Development
Physical punishment makes the child less able to keep up with the cognitive development level that is expected as per her age. It lowers the IQ level and impairs the
concentration capability as well. It hampers the learning abilities of the child resulting in long term problems.
Since cognitive development of children is shaped by social interactions, children who are punished by parents or teachers fear exploring their physical and social worlds. Therefore, they are less likely to develop their cognitive skills.
Affects Social Behaviour
Physical punishment is related to child’s aggression and some other antisocial behaviour seen in children and adults as well. Since these children find that their parents get their problem solved by inflicting pain, they are likely to do the same to others when they want to influence actions of other people.
Affects Quality of Parent-Child Relationship
Physical punishment can have adverse effect on the quality of relationship that parents share with their children. Children find themselves attached with warm and positive parents. They feel safe and secure only when parents are supportive and caring. Children who are punished feel insecure which leads to poor relationship with parents.
Negative effects of severe punishments can lead to ruptured eardrums, brain or any other body part damage and even death in some cases. Although the physical injuries can be treated, the emotional and psychological damage done to the child cannot be repaired.
Experts and child psychologists have always discouraged physical punishment for children, but it is used in schools and even homes till date. However, the most important thing to be noted on this point of time is that children who are treated badly in childhood do not grow up to be well mannered adults. They do not know to respect others and lack self-discipline as well.
Parents should understand that childhood is one of the most important and delicate part of the life’s long journey. It is the time when the personality of the person is formed and shaped and decides what he or she would be in life later. So, parents can and should change their ideas about
discipline. It is the responsibility of everyone to encourage and help parents to make use of positive disciplinary approaches.
How to avoid punishing kids? What kind of punishments should be avoided by parents? How to punish kids with hitting or spanking? Discuss here.
