I AM surprised that C.H. Gallops (”Caning and that healthy-fear factor” — NST, Dec 21) says he has not read anything on the dire effects physical punishment can have on children.

There are numerous sites on the Internet that discuss this issue in depth.

Many social organisations, such as the National Organisation of Social Workers based in United States, are also against such measures by schools and parents.

I am not saying that caning will cause dire consequences in all cases. In general, children will be affected by canning and that is the premise I hold to.

As for the “healthy fear” factor that Gallops talks about, it should not be through caning or any other physical punishment.

The question of punishment is paramount if you want to discipline children, particularly, in schools.

Discipline is not just punishment alone but a process. Punishment is one way of deterring a child from wrongdoing and making him repent for his behaviour.

But will physical pain caused by caning deter a child from any wrongdoing? Will a child repent after undergoing such physical pain? Can such a measure give rise to a “healthy fear” among the punished?

Studies also show that caning over a long period of time makes the child immune to this form of punishment, thereby rendering it useless as a disciplinary tool.

What we need to do is to adopt measures that can reduce undesirable behaviour among children, including students. But how do we go about doing this?

That is the answer we need to look for.

Of course, psychologists will advocate counselling as one measure. I am sure there are many other ways.

Perhaps, elements like deprivation, that is, denying the child the things he/she likes, can make him/her regret his or her action.

DR S. NATHESANMuar

Source: NST – January 2, 2008