The effects of punishing kids in an inappropriate manner can deeply affect their growth and development. Let us have a look at the harmful effects of following the inappropriate ways to punish kids.Correcting the unwanted behaviour of a child has always been a widely discussed topic amongst parents, child psychiatrists, teachers and researchers of child behaviour. Many parents take away privileges while some use the method of timeout as a form of
punishment. While it is true that some method of correcting the behaviour of the child does need to exist it is very important for parents to consider the future repercussions of their method of punishment. Learn more about the wrong methods of punishment and the effect that these methods might have.
Timeouts and Rebellion
Timeout is a method of punishment where the parent sends the kid away from all preferred activities to sit silently or stand in a room without any privileges, Child
behaviour researchers say that a very frequent use of timeout leads to a sense of rebellion in the child as essentially the method is similar to solitary confinement.
The use of isolation and fear to correct the behaviour of a child is not a very appropriate thing to do as it induces the feeling of disconnectedness from the world in the mind of the child. In time a kid who has been subjected to too many timeouts will become a rebel.
Yelling and Misbehaving
Often parents are seen to be shouting at their kids even in public spaces as a method of punishment or
discipline. Shouting not only scares the kid it also obstructs the clear path of communication. Words, phrases and the entire meaning of what the parent is trying to communicate are lost in the raised tone of voice and the angry gestures.
The effect on the child may be categorized into two forms. Either the kid becomes scared and nervous and slowly starts developing a fear psychosis or the kid learns that it is okay to shout and in time learns to shout back at the parent. Both these effects are equally undesirable so using a
raised voice as a form of punishment is one of the wrong ways of discipline.
Ignoring and Emotional Disconnect
Many parents prefer to show their anger or irritation towards their children by acting in a cold or distant manner. This may involve not touching the child, not talking to the child and withdrawing all forms of emotional and physical affection. The intention is usually to make kids “understand” what they have done wrong and to coerce them into changing their behaviour.
Kids who are subjected to cold behaviour as a form of punishment soon begin to imbibe the fact that their parents do not really love them. This leads to a general form of disconnect from the family and usually propels the child on either a self destructor or a rebellious mode. It is very common for such kids to fall prey to substance abuse and bad company. It is very important for kids to feel that they are cared for and loved by their parents even when they are being punished.
Hitting and Emotional Trauma
Hitting children as a form of punishment has now been banned by the government but even a few years back corporal punishment was the preferred method of discipline used by many parents. A child who has been subjected to
hitting or physical violence from his or her parents never fully recovers from it. Every iota of trust, security and safety usually goes away with the first slap. In time the kid also learns that it is okay to use physical violence as a method of punishment and proceeds to use this behaviour in adult life.
If you are a parent and are reading this then these guidelines will stop you from using wrong methods of punishing your child and causing them damage.
What kind of punishments should be avoided by parents? How to punish kids when they make mistakes? Which are the appropriate ways to punish kids? Discuss here. 
