Behavior

The behavior (British spelling behaviour) is the manner in which someone or something behaves or acts, in response to internal or external stimuli.

Patterns of behavior need not be innate, they can be acquired and become increasingly strengthened through repetition. Series of actions that have become habitual start out as single, individually considered, and selected choices. Later they develop into the automatic actions we call habits. Humans retain final authority over habitual responses, choosing to restrain or release them as best serves their interests and/or beliefs, i.e. as the consider right or wrong.^[1]

Children's Behavior[edit]

It is an important responsibility of parents to educate and discipline their children, to teach them good behavior. The Bible makes it clear that children sometimes misbehave and parents should punish them when they do so. Proverbs 22:25 says that "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away". The Bible makes it clear that spanking is an appropriate way to address children's misbehavior. Proverbs 13:24 states that "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them" while and Proverbs 23:13 says "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die."

Child behavior expert Dr James Dobson PhD advises parents to deal lovingly but strictly with children when they misbehave. He recommends that parents use a switch or a paddle to spank children on the bottom. This should not be too harsh, but should be firm enough to cause some genuine tears.^[2] Despite some claims to the contrary, scientific evidence shows that spanking is an effective way to improve children's behavior. A major scientific review found that spanking "is not associated with any more adverse outcomes in children than is any other type of corrective discipline" and that "spanking is one of the most effective disciplinary tactics" for children aged 2-6.^[3]

Surveys consistently show that a majority of American adults agree that "it is sometimes necessary to discipline a child with a good, hard spanking."^[4]

References[edit]

1. ↑ Jeffrey Burke Satinover (1996). "9", Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth. Baker Books, 138–9. ISBN 978-08010-56253. 
2. ↑ https://www.dobsonlibrary.com/resource/article/9e6c1b33-b341-4617-aa11-70c9744fdf11 The Dobson Digital Library - Questions and Answers about Corporal Punishment and The Strong Willed Child
3. ↑ [1] Larzelere and Kuhn (2007) Comparing Child Outcomes of Physical Punishment and Alternative Disciplinary Tactics: A Meta-Analysis
4. ↑ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/americans-opinions-on-spanking-vary-by-party-race-region-and-religion/ Harry Enten, FiveThirtyEight.com, Americans’ Opinions On Spanking Vary By Party, Race, Region And Religion

See also[edit]

• ABC Theory of Emotion
• Obsessive compulsive disorder