Caning does not solve the problem

The heading of the letter to the editor “Not just by caning alone” is quite apt when we looked at the effects of the punishment on the children. The writer believes that it is the teacher who carries out the caning who might be the problem since some of the reasons for the punishment seems very unreasonable such as forgetting to ask parents to sign off the student's homework.

In this day and age, caning does not leave the desired mark that the teacher wants to impress on the student. Caning might work when the student is still a child but once he can think and reason for himself, there will be doubts and questions on why he was punished for such and such misconduct.

Now even a child who is in kindergarten will ask why he is being punished and the adults must explain the reasons behind the action taken. The adult will be asked repeatedly until the child is satisfied that the punishment was justified. The present day child is exposed to so many external influences and most often has developed the curiosity as well as reasoning skills to think for himself . He needs logical and appropriate answers.

The same or even more would be expected from those in school and especially the teenagers. The children's growing up years is the most trying and stressful period for any parent who wants to see their brood well-behaved and well-adapted socially. Caning or any physical punishment does not help in attaining that goal. It might even backfire if the child rebels against the adults and vents his frustrations by taking the wrong path.

It would be very hard for adults to resist from using the cane but we must try. Never give up and we must always remember that the seeds have to be nurtured from the beginning. The children's behaviour when they reach their teens is the culmination of lessons learnt since young. When a two-way communications have been established from the beginning, there is more room for the adult to find out what triggered an act, whether good or bad.

We must be ready to hear and listen, then only can we resolve the problem faced by the child. The child needs compassion, not the cane.

Image from fearlessmma