Society has surpassed the time in which physical abuse is deemed as the social norm. However, with parents left uncertain in the punishment of their misbehaving children, their most creative concepts, are cruel and unusual in their implementation. Despite society developing, such that domestic abuse is now illegal as a liable punishment for children, parents have eagerly made the stride to inflict psychological discipline on their children. However, to what extent is this form of psychological discipline acceptable? When parents use their authority to humiliate their kids as a lesson, they abuse their power over their children. While it is slight improvement from physically abusing their children, the damage it does to the kids' self esteem is immense. As parents, they should understand that there is a finite difference between discipline and torture. Though it may be a strenuous task determining a suitable punishment for misbehaving children, do not resort to humiliating children.

          As the youngest child of four, I understand the lengthy list of punishments parents go through in order to determine the most effective discipline for their children. My parents spent copious amounts of time focusing on what works, and what doesn't, in order for my siblings and I to understand the faults in our behavior. It is as though children are sentient beings, capable of emotion! Parents must dedicate time for their children, differentiating what punishments are effective and which are ineffective. The Old Man haircut is result of the parents' inability to determine an appropriate discipline for their children, that does not involve physically or psychologically damaging their children.

          Although the haircut was an evidently effective form of punishment, at what cost? The child in question was forced to live with a demeaning haircut for his poor grades. At his young age, this seems to be a highly inappropriate punishment. At any age rather, forcibly giving a haircut to a misbehaving child is abusive.

Source: hellogiggles

           However, the authority to deliver punishments lie with the parents/guardians. As society progresses and implementing effective punishments have become more difficult, parents are stretching their creative abilities in looking for the most effective punishments. To all parents, please understand that children are capable of emotion, and are susceptible to the punishments that are inflicted upon us. Discipline and punishments should assist children in building character, and learning to behave acceptably. If only we strived to simulate Lorelai Gilmore, who, though stern and strict with her daughter, understood the importance of understanding and empathizing with children. Unfortunately, we cannot all be like the Gilmores.

          Parents; listen to your children and give them the benefit of the doubt. We are immature, and in need of strong role models, such that we do not lash out and act on our faulted behaviorism when we are young. May we take notes on Indiewire's Top 10 Best Parents, and try to empathize with the misbehaving children we are so quick to punish.