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AMERICAN HOME SERIES
NORMAN E. RICHARDSON, Editor
The Punishment of Children
BY
FELIX ADLER
THE ABINGDON PRESS
NEW YORK CINCINNATI
EDITORIAL NOTE
The material contained in this pamphlet was originally delivered inthree addresses before the Ethical Culture Society of New York City.Special permission has been given to have it reprinted in this form.
The ethical nurture of the child is a distinct responsibility which noparent can neglect with impunity. When ignorant of the more elementaryprinciples of punishment, parents easily fall into one of two seriouserrors. The use of harsh and severely arbitrary methods causes thechild's fine ethical sensibilities to become dull. Through indifferenceor careless neglect, the child becomes willful, erratic, orself-indulgent. In this study Dr. Adler, with remarkable skill, guidesthe parent between these two extremes. He shows that it is possible tobe consistent without being harsh, gentle without being vacillating.
The mastery of the art of punishment is also one of the most directmeans of ethical self-culture. It is to be hoped that a careful study ofthis subject may result in a refinement of the attitude of parentstoward each other, as well as toward their children.
Norman E. Richardson.
Printed in the United States of America
First Edition Printed April, 1920
Reprinted July, 1920; March, 1922
THE PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN
I
It is man's moral duty to act as the physician of his enemies and seekto cure them of their wrongdoing. How much more, then, should thisattitude be taken toward those whom we love—toward our children, if wefind their characters marred by serious faults?
In discussing the subject of punishment I do not for a moment think ofcovering the innumerable problems which it suggests. Many books havebeen written on this subject; prolonged study and the experience of alifetime are barely sufficient for a mastery of its details. I shallcontent myself with suggesting a few simple rules and principles, andshall consider my object gained if I induce my hearers to enter upon acloser investigation of the delicate and manifold questions