SAMPLE RESPONSE

Although different cultures and societies may have different notions of right and wrong, they all try to educate  children into these institutional forms of behaviour. In this context, the question arises as to whether punishing children helps them to learn the difference between right and wrong, and if so, what forms of punishment should be considered allowable. I would submit that punishing a child for failing to know the difference between right and wrong behaviour is likely to be ineffective, and that non-violent forms of punishment should be used only when a child knowingly commits a wrong action with the expectation that they would get away with it.

 

Punishment, whether it be physical or non-physical, is not a form of teaching. Children need to be shown by means examples, stories and simple explanations what constitutes right and wrong behaviour. If for example, a child bullies a classmate, they need to be shown that such behaviour is not acceptable through generating empathy for the victim. If, on a later occasion, the child repeats the bullying behaviour and it is clear that the child knows that the behaviour is wrong, then it might be an occasion for punishment.

 

But what kind of punishment? Obviously, in this case physical punishment would be inappropriate, as the child would probably see it as a form of bullying and the adult who administers the punishment would be seen as a hypocrite. Instead then, parents and teachers should withhold privileges such as TV watching time or not be allowed to participate in a favourite class such as drawing or PE.

 

In conclusion, bringing up children and teaching them the difference between right and wrong is a complicated task. Not only is every child different, different cultures have their own standards of right and wrong. But the best way to help children learn the difference is by skilful demonstration, not punishment. And certainly not physical punishment.