Parents think reasoning not corporal punishment best method to children

Most parents think not corporal punishment but reasoning is the fairest and most effective discipline method to children, said a recent parenting survey by Singapore's Children's Society.

According to Channel NewsAsia reports on Friday, the survey, which involved over 1,000 Singapore parents and children, found that both parents and children felt that explaining to the child what he had done wrong was the most effective.

The survey, aiming to find out the emotional impact of punishment and abuse, also showed that the children surveyed thought emotional punishment, such as withdrawing love, was the most unfair and least effective.

But it was as pronounced as the physical pain inflicted by corporal punishment, the children surveyed revealed.

This is, fortunately, the least frequently used form of punishment by the parents, said the survey.

Researchers advise parents to show unconditional love to their children and to let them know that no matter what, their hearts will always to be open to them.

The survey also found that mothers were the main caregivers, while fathers were less involved in child care, and a majority proportion of children, under the age of three, were also cared for by paid workers or grandparents.

However, children who were cared for mainly by their parents, especially the mother, were happier.

The reports said this was one of the few times that researchers had included children in a comprehensive study like this, spending almost a year fine-tuning their questions to make sure they were accessible to the kids.

Researchers said they hope to do more work involving children, especially to find out how they form attachments to their caregivers and the importance of having a consistent caregiver.

Source: Xinhua