Haim Ginott on the Absurdity of Corporal Punishment
Much has been written and debated about the use of corporal punishment on children. Perhaps, the absurdity of hitting a child in the name of ‘discipline’ is best illustrated by the following words from the late Haim Ginott*:
When a child hits a child, we call it aggression.
When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility.
When an adult hits an adult, we call it assault.
When an adult hits a child, we call it discipline.
How is that making sense for you? Or is it just plainly absurd?
Shouldn’t we STOP justifying the acts of violence on children such as caning or spanking with a well meaning intention, and START practicing positive or non-punitive alternatives for discipling children?
* Haim G. Ginott was a teacher, child psychologist, psychotherapist, and author of a classic best seller Between Parent and Child. Ginott also pioneered techniques for conversing with children.
Posted: June 24th, 2009 under Parenting Articles.
Tags: child discipline, corporal punishment, discipline, effective discipline, punishment