There are many other factors that have encouraged the upbringing of disrespectful, stubborn and entitled kids. We can't only blame it on the reduction of corporal punishment, the world is evolving and it keeps affecting growing children.
Looking at children in this growing world, I can't say humanity has lost only because of their inability to discipline/ punish children. There are many other factors that attributed to negative behavior amongst children. For instance, children of this generation are growing up in a world where social media hold a strong influence, peer pressure keeps growing in the world, technology is evolving daily and there are changes in family structure due to divorce and polygamy. All these are contributing factors, not just the reduction of punishment/ discipline.
I believe the real question should be, does this punishment/discipline really make kids better? Does it make them understand better? Most times we feel it works, but these kids act accordingly because of the fear of being disciplined/punished. Fear doesn't mean they learnt understanding. That's why these kids grow up to act the same negative way as adults, because they aren't scared again and have overcome that fear.
To discipline kids is good, highly recommended, and I encourage it alot , but, also it shouldn't get to a point where it becomes or feels like abuse or maltreatment.
The main aim of disciplining a kid, should be for correction and not abuse/ anger . Discipline becomes dangerous when it seems like abuse. The primary aim of inculcating discipline should be to guide, teach and direct a child without releasing anger, abusing the child and causing trauma/scar.
I believe discipline is an important and crucial part of growth and development and inculcating this discipline amongst kids when necessary, plays a crucial role in character development amongst children and shapes them to be better adults.
Discipline also focuses on guiding and shaping the behavior of a child, controlling unpleasant behavior and that's really necessary in raising children.
Disciplining children make them better versions of themselves.
Disciplining kids, also makes them realize that for every action there's a consequence, if children are not disciplined or corrected, they will grow to be adults who believe they can act how it pleases them, break rules without accountability.
Every child needs to learn that there's always a consequence for bad actions, that would guide them and make them better adults.
Inasmuch as children need discipline, I believe they also need communication, love and guidance.
Punishment and discipline can only come when necessary, in repeated behavioral patterns, and we should punish kids with wisdom.
I noticed something growing up with my younger siblings and from my job experience working at a school in the past, I got to realize that kids respond and learn differently. For some kids, all that's needed is communication and proper guidance, but for some, discipline is the only way they learn.
Things work for children differently, kids learn in different ways, some need to be communicated to and some need strict discipline.
Understanding and learning to follow a child is necessary in bringing up kids.
No doubt, discipline shapes the child and teaches them values. Discipline isn't an excuse for abusing or maltreating a child, it shouldn't destroy or create traumatic experience for the child, but discipline should take place to teach the child, respect, boundaries, self control, responsibility and many other values.
We should discipline with love and communication, and not anger. This would stop and control trauma amongst children.
