About the Campaign
WHAT is this Campaign About?
The Parenting without Punishment Campaign is a nationwide initiative by the Institute of Advanced Parentology (IAP). It begins officially on the 21st of June, 2009 (Father’s Day) to serve as a starting point for social transformation and a catalyst for raising awareness amongst families in Singapore of the availability and merits of non-punitive approaches for child discipline.
Non-Punitive Discipline is an approach for disciplining children that does not use any form of punishment, be it physical or non-physical. Practitioners of non-punitive systems of discipline (e.g. Positive Discipline) seek to respond to children’s misbehaviours with respect, understanding, love and empathy by employing methods that honour the dignity of children, promote their well-being and encourage their personal growth.
The Campaign aims to ENROL, EMPOWER and ENABLE parents to adopt the practice of Non-Punitive Discipline. It aims to achieve the following by Children’s Day, 1 October, 2009:-
- Reach out to 100,000 or more individuals to create an awareness of the benefits of Non-Punitive Discipline.
- Enrol 10,000 or more parents to PLEDGE their commitment to fully adopt the practice of Non-Punitive Discipline.
- Educate 1,000 or more parents on the foundational concepts, principles and practices of Non-Punitive Discipline.
WHY Campaign for Parenting without Punishment?
This Campaign was originally inspired by a special report featured in The Sunday Times (11 January, 2009) titled “To Cane Or Not To Cane.” It was reported that 57 out 100 parents surveyed found caning acceptable and had used it on their children. In May 2009, the results from an on-line poll on “Are you pro or anti-spanking?” conducted by TheAsianParent.com revealed that 70% of the responses were in favour of spanking.
While the sample size in the above surveys may not be statistically representative of the Singapore population, it is evident that the use of physical punishment such as caning and spanking is certainly widespread and pervasive in a modern nation like ours. Although the limitations and ill-effects of physical punishment are well-researched and documented, many parents (even the highly educated ones) continue to employ them as a method for disciplining children. Why is that so? And that’s one of the key questions that this Campaign attempts to answer.
The use of physical punishment has been an age-old controversy that draws strong reactions from its proponents and opponents. No amount of debate or logical arguments directed at proving one another wrong is going to end this controversy. In fact, there is a global initiative around the world directed at lobbying for legislative changes to outlaw the use of corporal punishment on children.
At the Institute, we believe that being ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ does not necessarily make one a better parent. We stand for the POSSIBILITY for PROGRESS and propose to address the controversy by advancing the practice of parenting through education, rather than legislation. And with this campaign, we invite parents in Singapore to take a bold leap – to not only consider the abolishment of corporal punishment, but the use of ALL kinds of punishment, be it physical or non-physical. There exist positive alternatives for raising independent, socially responsible and self-disciplined children that do not involve harming them in anyway.
The ultimate question is, WILL YOU commit yourself to learning and adopting these non-punitive methods of discipline that can bring about a more POSITIVE PARENTING experience for you and your loved ones? That, is a decision that only YOU could make. Through this Campaign site, we endeavour to provide you access to resources that will help you make the leap successfully. Where there is a will, there is a way!
HOW Can You Make A Difference?
Start by Making a PLEDGE today!
Support from Experts on the Field
The Insitute of Advanced Parentology is a leading advocate of Non-Punitive Discipline in Singapore and it works collaboratively with international experts to help parents embrace an approach for disciplining children that is based on mutual respect, understanding and love.
“I was thrilled to learn of Kenny Toh’s work as the founder of the Institute of Advance Parentology. We have the same goals – to help parents understand that non-punitive parenting is the most respectful and encouraging way to help children learn the valuable social and life skills of mutual respect, self-discipline, responsibility, problem-solving skills and social interest. It is an honor that he now wants to incorporate Positive Discipline methods as part of his program. I look forward to working with Kenny Toh in creating peace in work through peace in homes and classrooms.”
~ Jane Nelsen, Author and co-author of the Positive Discipline series of books.