How Punishing Children Affects The Brain
The effect of punishing children is a much-discussed topic, especially in recent years. It is the basis of the most traditional child-rearing system and takes place not only in a family, but also in educational environments and many other areas of a society.
The effectiveness of this method is what makes it confusing. This is because the effect of punishing children is immediate, as it “persuades” them to do or not do anything. The thing is, this is just temporary. Thus, it does not take away the motivation for a certain behavior, which means that it will still happen despite the punishment.
As you can see , scare tactics can give parents a break for a short period of time. However, this method is ethically questionable and also illegal in many cases. In addition, it ultimately does not work.
The effects of punishment on the brain
According to Dr. Jorge Cuartas, physical punishment causes atypical development in children’s brains. It increases cortisol levels at a stage where the brain structure is still forming, thus altering the prefrontal cortex.
Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma points out that there is a link between severe punishment and a reduction in children’s cognitive abilities. Apparently, it has a greater impact on children between the ages of five and nine.
This applies not only to physical punishment as such, but also to effective verbal and psychological aggression, which has a similar effect as beating.
Also note that not a single study reveals any benefits of this type of punishment. Instead, most studies show that severe punishment is not effective and is actually quite harmful.
The effects of punishing children
Punishment activates the survival instinct, especially in children, and they see only three alternatives to it: attacking, fleeing or being paralyzed. This happens automatically, without reflection or decision.
Physiologically, there is an increased secretion of cortisol and adrenaline, which limits the ability to think, while increasing the intensity of some emotions such as anger or fear. Under these conditions, functions such as critical thinking and reasoning are reduced. Thus, it can not be learning.
Other intense and confusing emotions usually appear after being subjected to punishment. Sometimes it’s guilt or remorse. In the same way, the child thinks that they are bad, or that there is something wrong with them. At the same time, they do not fully understand what they did wrong, why it is wrong and why they should not do it in the future.
Punishing children does not have to be serious
The effect of punishing is not only negative when the sanction is severe or violent, but also in other cases. Psychologist Rafael Guerrero stated that the punishment itself is questionable. Apparently, parents punish their child to make them learn and improve certain behaviors. What it actually does is traumatize them.
Many adults believe that the only type of abuse that exists is to beat, shout and humiliate. However , one can harm a child in many other ways. By sending them to a corner to get them to “think about what they did” for example. The thing is, they probably will not. In fact, most adults would not learn anything from this either. The only thing they want to think about is how to get out of the situation as soon as possible.
As you can see, the child will not become aware of the behavior that led to the punishment. Instead, authoritarianism, helplessness towards it, and the impact of punishment will remain in the memory. They can stop doing what they were punished for, but only because of the pressure of the circumstances, not because they have learned to behave.
Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons an adult can teach a child is that mistakes contribute to learning. It is easier and faster to “train” a child than to change the conscience. As you have seen, however, the effect of punishment is short-lived, while a well-founded explanation lasts forever.
