Question

Briefly research parenting/punishment and design a brief ad to teach parents about punishment and how they can use it more effectively. Print an ad (minimum 200 words text). Make sure it offers strategies for parents to help them understand HOW to punish their child.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Through observations about the past and from case studies, it can be concluded that there are two types of punishment; they are simply good and bad. The purpose of bad punishment is to instil a sense of fear in a child. This fear might keep them from doing something but might adversely affect their personality in the long run.

However, good punishment is one that reinforces a certain affirmative behaviour to eventually become a habit and slowly a part of the child’s personality. In order to offer good punishment, a parent must refrain from “telling” and exhort to “explaining.” Through explanation, a child will not only know that their actions are wrong but also understand why they are wrong. This will help not only alter their behaviour but also teach a child the value of reasoning.

Good punishment is also a slow but sure process. Altering the behaviour of a child through reasoning and positive conditioning is a constant process. In order to do this, one must inculcate a certain positive environment in the house. For instance, if a child does not know the value of hard work or money, it would be wise to explain to them that hard work and its fruits need to be valued. To do this, a child might perhaps earn a dollar for doing the dishes or raking the leaves and other chores. Through working like that, the child would probably understand the value of money and build character through diligent work.

Positive parenting and good punishment are therefore complementary to each other through a common goal. The goal of both is to bring up a child with a strong character and compassion, both of which are achieved through positive parenting and good punishment.