Second, the apparent success of corporal punishment in influencing a child doesn t mean that other methods of influence wouldn t have worked equally well. Finally, I share the concerns of many parents about the social consequences of using physical punishment. In addition to the physical, other uses of force also qualify as punishment. Another form of punitive force is the withholding of some means of gratification, such as parents curtailing of allowance or driving privileges. In this type of punishment, the withdrawal of caring or respect is one of the most powerful threats of all.
Punishment also includes judgmental labeling and the withholding of privileges.
The Costs of Punishment When we submit to doing something solely for the purpose of avoiding punishment, our attention is distracted from the value of the action itself. Instead, we are focusing upon the consequences of what might happen if we fail to take that action. Self-esteem is also diminished when punitive force is used. If children brush their teeth because they fear shame and ridicule, their oral health may improve but their self-respect will develop cavities. Furthermore, as we all know, punishment is costly in terms of goodwill.