Discipline for Children

I have no children of my own. I have not experienced the late nights and constant worry. I possess little experience in raising them and disciplining them. Obviously, I am not an expert on how to raise a child. However, I know children are precious. I know Jesus gave the kingdom of heaven to such as these. (Matt 19:14)

Some Christian believe spanking their children is a commanded disciplinary action. They justify this punishment with the scriptures in Proverbs. (Proverbs 23:13-14 and Proverbs 13:24) I am willing to accept that God has given parents this command for the betterment of children. However, I fear that faulty psychology has slipped into our homes.

Behavioral conditioning was first used on animals. They would put animals in boxes, reward or punish them, and hope to attain a desired result. These test were later used on humans! One professor actually put his daughter in a box. B.F. Skinner put his daughter in a box for eleven months. He would stimulate her with negative or positive reinforcement. Unfortunately, this science actually assumes that humans have no soul. Children are to be taught through manipulation. They were like animals. This science (I consider it barbaric) is still popular today. Parent magazines use behavioral conditioning to make every child behave and fit into society's norm.

Yes, God desires fathers and mothers to properly raise their children. This means parents must be willing to scold their children and reward their children. But, your child is not an experiment. They are partners with you! Their insights and quirks are God given.