How Has Discipline Changed Over The Years?

Once upon a time discipline was more physical than it is today. In fact, this is probably the biggest way that discipline has changed over the years. Many years ago children were spanked, slapped, hit, switched, swatted, belted and more to enforce rules and good behavior. Of course, not all families engaged in this type of discipline but most did simply because their parents had disciplined that way and it was just the way things were done. However, with lots of studies on discipline and what is best for the child researchers found that other non physical forms of discipline worked just as well if not better and did not cause harm to the child.

The reason why physical discipline is not so common anymore is simply because parents can get carried away when they are angry and actually abuse the child instead of simply disciplining him. When it comes to physical punishment these days most parents choose a different method although some parents still believe in a good spanking. How you discipline your children is up to you; however the trend now is to not discipline with a physical punishment but to rather take away privileges or send the child to time out.

Many parents and researchers alike believe this method works better because children who are spanked only have a brief moment of pain and then they are off the hook. However, kids who lose their favorite privilege for a week or who are sent to timeout for half an hour really have time to think about what they did and why they should not have done it.

If you want to get a good idea of how discipline has changed over the years ask your oldest living relative how their parents disciplined them. Then, ask younger families how they discipline. You may see some similarities, but more than likely you will see a change from physical punishment to restrictive punishment through the years.

You may be wondering how to discipline your child or the discipline method you use is not working. If this is the case then you dont have to look at history to help you find a method that works for your child. Instead, you need to look at your childs personality and at yourself to see how to implement a method of discipline that will really work for your child and your family.

Posted in Parenting