Canning is not the way to discpline children

The issue of canning children and students has surfaced again. It looks as if it is a no ending subject in the education circle and among parents too. First of all, we must agree that punishment is necessary to discipline our children and students. But is canning the way to discipline a child or a student? Do we think that by canning a child or a student, he or she can be disciplined? I am afraid we are not taking the right approach in this matter. 

In raising and disciplining children, I believe in the golden rule: reward and punishment. These are two pillars. These two noble principles will ensure stability and order in families and in the world at large. Good deeds should be appreciated and bad behaviour should not be condoned and dealt seriously. By upholding this principle, justice is endorsed in child-raising. In this context, parents play a crucial role in executing these two noble principles. 

For example, whenever a mother sees that her child has done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart. If the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let the mother or father counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. The child needs to be explained the wrong doing before punishment is carried out. 

However, it is not permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child’s character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse. Children receiving canning can be affected emotionally and psychologically. Children are not beasts to be canned. They are human beings with a soul. Even there are international organizations like the Blue Cross advocate that animals should be treated well, and not beaten. What more, children who are human beings? 

Sometime ago, I was interviewed by a local TV channel asking me to commend on this issue. I emphatically told that no canning of children, but emphasized the need for punishment in raising children. I strongly disagree canning as one form of punishment. We need to execute punishment in different ways and more in a more humane manner. Unfortunately, many parents today support the notion to cane children to ascertain discipline among children. 

It is not the physical pain a child should experience through canning as a form of punishment, but rather the pain of deprivation of things the child likes. This is what child experts and psychologists advocate to parents and educators. What are the ways and methods? 

This is the challenge we face now. It is suggested children should be denied and deprived the things they love most, like ice-cream, KFC outing, watching TV, playing with friends, playing computer games, using sophisticated gadgets like IPod, etc. etc. 

Deprivation of this nature will make the children feel the pain, too. This will make them regret their actions which results this deprivation. Next time, they will make sure; they will not get into mischievous acts and thereby punished.  

Therefore, parents and educators need to change their perspective with regards to canning children as a form of discipline. Proverbs like ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ should be discarded. In the current changes, such holding need to give way for modern thoughts and strategies in handling discipline among children.