Punishment is basically an external action that is performed towards an individual as a result of their negatively-perceived behavior or separate deed. Punishment is implemented in order to reduce the chances of individual’s repeating a behavior that is interpreted negatively (Holth, 2005). There is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and reasonability of punishment, and this debate is not groundless. Punishment has been used by people as a major educational measure since ancient times, and proponents of punishment claim that the humanity cannot do without using it, and that it has many positive effects. Meanwhile, there is a substantial counterforce declaring that punishment is not simply immoral, but that it has an absolutely unpredictable effect and, thus, is a questionable tool for an influence on an individual.
The strongest argument of those who support punishment is that there is a strong correlation between it and decrease in manifestations of unwanted behavior (Holth, 2005). It should be admitted that this procedure can turn out to be working with some people. The researchers have even managed to establish the factors that predetermine a successful result of punishment. They assert that negative behavior will most likely be reconsidered if punishment comes right after it. That can be explained by simply learning “cause and effect principle”. Besides, misbehavior that is noticed and punished as many times as it happens is also reported to disappear eventually.
Although many countries have already banned light corporal punishment of children by parents, or by teachers, like Sweden, where it happened in 1979, there are still places where it is allowed either legally, or by church (Paintal, 2007). Thus, Jewish religious law admits light corporal punishment, but insists that it should either be performed immediately after misbehavior, or not performed at all (Shmueli, 2010). They point out that punishment that is carried out some time after cannot be connected with a particular negative behavior, and, therefore, is ineffective (Shmueli, 2010).
Speaking about drawbacks of punishment, it needs mentioning that there are numerous cases when punishment proves to be useless, or, even harmful. First of all, it is difficult to estimate the longevity of punishment’s positive effect if it really exists. While a behavior may change as a result of punishment, the effect may be very short-term; sometimes it lasts just as long as punishment itself does.
At the same time, the consequences of punishment are already reported as very negative. Scientist from all over the world strongly believe that even light corporal punishment of children by parents predetermine an increase in feelings of inadequacy, resentment, and, finally, aggression. Such aggression is initially directed at weaker peers, and eventually evolves into violence in any major relationships. Furthermore, punished children are more inclined to subsequent mental health problems (Richardson, Rosenthal & Burak, 2012).
Even though the drawbacks of punishment are abundant, there is a major one. Punishment prohibits a behavior, or an action, it is directed at destroying presently existing habit, or wish, or belief. Thus, punishment is destructive in its nature, while constructive …