On Childrearing

This letter is in reference to the article “Multiple Factors at Root of Antisocial Behavior” in the August 1 issue.

Many parents do not know the difference between discipline and punishment, and feel that the child has to experience discomfort or distress to learn socially acceptable behavior. Therefore, many childrearing behaviors are abusive, though legally acceptable, such as corporal punishment. The humiliating and abusive practice of paddling a child in school with a wooden paddle is still legal in 19 states. Because the incidence of antisocial behaviors and personality disorders is pandemic (just look at the number of youth in gangs, for example), parenting education classes should be mandated for all high school students, boys as well as girls, before parenthood. Since there is also much ignorance about the needs, abilities, and limitations of children at each stage of development, child development as well as healthy childrearing skills should also be taught, in addition to parent development (the tasks, stressors, as well as the joys) correlating with each stage of development.

At APA's 1991 annual meeting in New Orleans, I presented a paper titled “Parent Education in High School: A Primary Prevention Program.” It describes the teaching of a curriculum that I created with a high school teacher. Nonpregnant and nonparent students participated in five classes a week (of math or history) for a semester. The curriculum was taught in over 30 highs schools and was published by the New York City Department of Education. The students were extremely receptive and enthusiastic about the course. In the evaluation of the course, one stated, “I learned not to smack a baby.” Childrearing is learned behavior, and many antisocial behaviors are preventable.