The Risks of Rewards. The Risks of Rewards.
Many educators are acutely aware that punishment and threats are counterproductive.
Making children suffer in order to alter their future behavior can often elicit temporary compliance, but this strategy is unlikely to help children become ethical, compassionate decision makers. Moreover, it models the use of power rather than reason and ruptures the important relationship between adult and child. Of those teachers and parents who make a point of not punishing children, a significant proportion turn instead to the use of rewards. As with punishments, the offer of rewards can elicit temporary compliance in many cases. Unfortunately, carrots turn out to be no more effective than sticks at helping children to become caring, responsible people or lifelong, self-directed learners.