If every punishment type needs to be repeated over & over before the child learns the lesson?

Question

as many answered to this question, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiI53dykUSMZZWdr2Yi53xZ87hR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071222174448AAfigNx , then why choose spanking over any other approach?

If, no matter what, it's going to take a few 'lessons' before a child truly internalizes the message being conveyed by a punishment, why would a parent choose spanking to convey the message?

I'm truly just wondering how this choice is made in homes where negative reinforcement is the chosen method of parenting.

ah, you're right - it is 'positive punishment' - it's been way too long since my last psych class! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_reinforcement

Answer 1

Wouldn't it be better if we all tried teaching our children instead of punishing them. Isn't Knowledge power! Therefor wouldn't it be a better approach then shame, pain, and discomfort?

Answer 2

I don't know why someone would use negative reinforcement, so only those that do can answer your question.

Also - Of all the parents I know (plus myself) who use spanking as a punishment, NONE use it as a first line of defense. A spanking always comes in AFTER time outs and other punishments have been tried.

Also - As to repeating a punishment over and over again - That simply doesn't happen as much with spanking then other consequences. Most of the time, when you get to spanking, that's where it ends PERMANENTLY. Good parents play the odds, 30 time outs, or 1-2 time outs, then a spanking. A good consequence is one that gets worse every time the child breaks a rule.

Answer 3

I don't think the choice of punishment method has much to do with having to repeat it. I do spank my daughters, and everytime I hope it's the last time I have to do it. But that is the same with other forms of punishment. Children do get wiser as they get older, but until they are through puberty there will always be a need to set boundaries and to enforce rules.

Answer 4

I agree that every discipline type (punishments are awful) needs to be repeated a couple of times for kids to learn that that is just how life is going to be. Even from the very first time though, kids will learn that the one doing the discipline means what they say. They will keep testing it to see if it always holds true, but the first time a form of discipline is used, kids get it and understand what's going on.

Answer 5

Spanking is not negative reinforcement. It is positive punishment.

That said, one benefit of spanking is the immediacy with which the punishment is delivered. A spanking can often be delivered as soon as the child misbehaves, as opposed to other methods which can take a minute or more to apply. The connection between action and consequence is much more clear and solid when there is minimal time between the two, especially for younger children.

Answer 6

we all make mistakes and have a breaking point, on rare occasions it can work, especially if they need a little shock, but i would never hit hard, its the shock thats needed not the actual hurt with small children. and to your question everyone has different beliefs and ive many people tell me that my son just needs a good smack, when they have no idea the what when or why, thats their problem, most parents do what they think is best with good intention, but not eveyone can get it right, geez there are so many personality types in children and parents that i have a different parenting style for each of my children because they are different people. Some people laugh about the beltings they copped as kids, others go to therapy for it, we are just different

Answer 7

With some children its what works. When you have children you have to try different things to find what works for that child. Spankings didn't work for my brother, time outs did. For my sister and I time outs didn't work, spankings did. Every child is different, I don't understand these parents that refuse to discipline their child then act shocked when their child runs wild.

Also my mom would never spank us when she was mad. Because she didn't want to hurt us. When she was really upset at something we did she would send us to our room

Answer 8

the only reason why parents use negative reinforcement is because the kid made them mad and they take it out on the kid
children are learning about life theyre going to mess up

Answer 9

punishment is not working, so try ignoring the behavior. take some parenting classes and relax -enjoy your child.