Will children who were never disciplined or punished-only praised- know right from wrong as adults?

Question

If not, what WILL they be like as adults?

Answer 1

Well, hardly likely, is it? If you get told from the start that everything you do is okay, you naturally think this is so, and regard yourself as the centre of the universe. Parents who fail to bring their child into line eventually inflict on society the kind of selfish yobs who make so many people's lives a misery today. Discipline is learned behaviour, and it is ridiculous to expect someone who hasn't experienced the consequences of selfishness and anti-social behaviour within the family to be capable of self-discipline. Of course, praise when they have done well, behaved unselfishly, is important, but they have to see that as a contrast to the repercussions that ensue when they have behaved badly.

wimsey

Answer 2

As they grow up they probably will realize the consequences of their actions. They would know that committing a crime and stuff has consequences. (they see on tv). But even if they knew the consequences it doesn't mean they won't commit the crime. Since they may feel that the parents will just bail them out, since they were never punished.

However, if a child is never disciplined, when they grow up they can be extremely rebellious and in turn might not even listen to their parents anymore. They know they will not get in trouble for anything therefore they will do anything they want. This means if they want to do drugs or fail their classes they will do it.

When raising a child, the parent should not only praise the child for their actions but also learn to recognize when it is appropriate to discipline the child. By disciplining and punishing the child for their wrong actions you are actually helping them. Helping them to learn what is right from wrong. This type of love is called tough love. If you want your child to have a good life in the future, discipline him or her, but also praise him or her for the good things they have done. Having a balance of these two will help the child become the best person they can be.

Answer 3

Depends on the child. Some are born to 'stretch the boundaries'. Some like my own were taught from a very early age that to overstep my rules meant a warning first time and a light slap next time. I don't mean hard physical abuse only a light tap, and you can only light tap them under say 2 years of age. Actually the best way is to very sternly talk to them when they have done wrong according to YOUR rules, get that, YOUR rules, otherwise the clever little people will make up their rules as they go along then your troubles will start, and NEVER stop. If you should have need to 'discipline' them after say the age of 4 or 5 then you've failed and it can only get worse, much worse. All my experience has taught me this with children - the earlier you as a parent start to make the child understand the boundaries of acceptable behaviour the better the child will be when it's an adult. too much discipline is as bad as too little. Wait till they are, say, 14, access them then, if you consider you've made a hash of bringing them up it's YOUR fault. If not then join the very select group of parents who are proud of their kids.

Answer 4

I think they will know right from wrong as adults but the question is will they take heed to the consequences of doing wrong. Even though they may not have been disciplined as a child, they were still taught (either at home or school) the difference between right/wrong. No one can say that they don't know the difference. Look at Paris Hilton for example, she knows right from wrong and was probably praised alot as a child and spoiled and given whatever she wanted. Now as an adult, she's facing the consequences of her wrong doing actions thinking it wouldn't affect her because of how much money she has and because of her family name.

Answer 5

It depends on the child and their environment. My daughter is 16, she has never been disciplined or punished because we've never needed to. She's honor roll, varsity, musician, volunteer, popular, happy, nice, she just knows right from wrong by taking the time to learn it all by herself. Now, my son, needed disciplined and punished, but not bad at all, only grounded on a couple of occassions, other than that, he was very self-disciplined..., so it really just depends on each child....

Answer 6

Discipline is an integral part of raising kids, not something
to be done haphazardly or with severity. It depends on the
situation; i.e. playing in the street, ripping pages in a book,
sharing, etc... all different and requiring all different types
of discipline to teach right from wrong, what is and what
is not acceptable.

Answer 7

Personally, I don't think so.

I think all kids need discipline, and to be tolsd when they are doing something wrong. The only way that kids learn that there are consequences to their actions is to be taught right from wrong.

I think that kids that are not taught right from wrong will grow up to be dysfunctional adults.

Answer 8

you must start the disciplining asap. Praise is always good for a child but so is being punished. thats doesn't mean abuse them but try teaching them if they are still small under the age of 10 it wont be hard but if you waited too long you may have a problem and they may have to learn the hard way .:)

Answer 9

most of adults are still a child they dont grow up how can we expect child to be disciplined by them if they are equal and some adults grow in family value they can know right from wrong only some of them

Answer 10

Human beings are born with a conscious. All men are born into original sin. Unless their minds are compromised by their environment of by examples of other people's opinions and behavior. Punishment has nothing to do with conscious. Children know right and wrong until creeps influence them or teach them incorrect beliefs.