Changing Behavior or Changing Hearts?

From Family Insights:

Is punishment really enough when it comes to parenting?  We can all agree that punishment is a quick way to get results like stopping misbehavior in children.  But what are the long-term consequences of taking a punishing approach?

Research shows that children who experience a great deal of punishment become either rebellious or fearfully submissive (1). Unfortunately, parents are often satisfied with quick results when it comes to behavior management. But are we changing behavior? Or are we changing hearts?  In fact, although some of these quick intimidation techniques have been passed down for many generations, have we really stopped to think about the long-term implications of these punishment techniques?

When punishment is the primary source for behavior modification in children, some kids tend to react in one or all of the following ways. We know them as the four R’s of punishment.

Cesar Gamez then explains the four R’s which are:

• Resentment
• Revenge
• Rebellion
• Retreat

Read the whole post.