The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-06-09
Correcting Children.

Not long ago an editor in the NOrtherE
part Of New York told.his son, about eleven
years old, that be would whip him in the
course of few hours, and locked him in
an upper room until he had leisure to do SO.
When the boy heard his father coming, be
became 30 alarmed that he jumped out Of
the window and broke his neck
About a year ago a mother punished her
little daughter, of eight years, by shutting
her up in dark closet; the child bee ne
so frightened that commissions were induced
which resulted in death. In another case,
Of a similar character the result was still
more calsmitous, for the child became epii
eptic, and so remained for long life after
ward.
The object Of parental correction should
be the ultimate good Of the child and 70
make it effective.
]. The character of punishment should
be according to the disposition and temper
ament Of the child.
2. The punishment should be in proper
ton to the nature of the offense-
3. The punishment should be inflicted
With the utmost self-possession; for if done
in towering passion it takes the haracter
Of revenge; the child sees it, and resists il
with defiance, stubborness, or with feeling
of being the I'M ured or oppressed party.
A. Punishment should never be threatened
for one Of two results, both unfortunate, il
certain the promise will not be kept and
the child loses confidence in parental asser-
tion, or the child's mind, dwelling upon
what is expected, suffered a heightened tor
ture, imagination ALWAYS aggravatiag the
severity OF the chastisement, and the child
gradually learns TO startle at every event
which is at all likely to usher in the cor
rection, and the foundation is laid for that
fearfulness Of the future which is the bane
of all human happiness; and in some cases
the severity Of the expected suffering looms
up so largely under the influence OF dis
tempered Imagination, that, as in the case
OF the editors child, suicide is considered
the lesser evil. IL 10 nothing less than
savage barbarity for any parent to hold the
mind Of child in a state Of terrorism for
a single hour, let alone for days and weeks.
5. Never correct child by scolding, ad-
monition, or castigation in the presence of
any other person whatever. 1t is an attack
on its self-esteem, which provokes resist
anee and passion Let grown persons re-
collect how i'll they bear even deserved re-
proof in the presence of others
6. Never punish child twice for any one
offense; it IL great injustice, relic Of
barbarism, and always either discouragss
or hardens. Make each settlement final in
itself, and don't be forever harping upon
the past.
z. Punishme should not be inflicted in
In any case without placing clearly before
the ehiifs mind the nature Of the aggrava-
tion, and that the sole design Of the chas-
tisement or reproof is his present and future
welfare.
5. In all cases where punishment is de-
cided upon 1t should be prompt, or deferred,
according to the degree Of aggravauon or
palpable wrong. 1t is almost always better
to defer; but in such cases threaten nothing,
say nothing, do nothing which indicates IN
the slightest degree that anything il to
come. And when the time does come, &C
not alarm the child with any show of pre-
paration, bat gradually and afectionately
bring up the whole mstter place ii in it,
true, just and clear light, act accordingly !;
end always, ~ mucA - possible, appeal 10