Public Punishment Essay
Public punishment is an act or instance of punishing. A deterrent is something that discourages or is in intended to discourage someone from an act. In today’s society public punishment is often debated, where as in the 1800s, punishing someone publically was accepted. From community service to standing at intersections with hand written signs, public punishment can act as a deterrent or not affect that person at all. Public punishment is often frowned upon, but is effective in some, not all cases, and influences better behavior.
Public punishment does not always work. Trenton General from Chesapeake, Virginia, is a troubled teen whose grades in school were below his parents’ expectations (Belkin 1). Trenton’s parents took away his video games, cell phone and made him a “work for food” sign around his neck in an orange jumpsuit (Belkin 1). His parents stated “It was an embarrassment to us that we tried so much to reach him and it seems like everything we did failed” (Belkin 1). His parents tried everything they could until they decided to resort to public punishment (Belkin 1). Trenton’s guardians gave him the choice of no phone for two weeks or stand on the corner with a sign with his grades posted, that method did not work (Belkin 1). Trenton stated that “because when it comes to school it’s boring” (Belkin 1). Public punishment does not always work. Public punishment is often frowned upon because of the humiliation that is brought along with the punishment. Trezhan Blaha, from Elyria, Ohio, learned his lesson when he was caught stealing from the mall (Jackson 1) . Trezhan’s mother and uncle decided that he should stand on the corner with a sign that read: “I like to steal and have no respect for my mother or authority” (Jackson 1). Blaha stated “I was embarrassed but I definitely learned my lesson” (Jackson 1). This punishment from Blaha’s guardians helped him learn his lesson and acted as a deterrent for the future. In Fulton County,
Public punishment does not always work. Trenton General from Chesapeake, Virginia, is a troubled teen whose grades in school were below his parents’ expectations (Belkin 1). Trenton’s parents took away his video games, cell phone and made him a “work for food” sign around his neck in an orange jumpsuit (Belkin 1). His parents stated “It was an embarrassment to us that we tried so much to reach him and it seems like everything we did failed” (Belkin 1). His parents tried everything they could until they decided to resort to public punishment (Belkin 1). Trenton’s guardians gave him the choice of no phone for two weeks or stand on the corner with a sign with his grades posted, that method did not work (Belkin 1). Trenton stated that “because when it comes to school it’s boring” (Belkin 1). Public punishment does not always work. Public punishment is often frowned upon because of the humiliation that is brought along with the punishment. Trezhan Blaha, from Elyria, Ohio, learned his lesson when he was caught stealing from the mall (Jackson 1) . Trezhan’s mother and uncle decided that he should stand on the corner with a sign that read: “I like to steal and have no respect for my mother or authority” (Jackson 1). Blaha stated “I was embarrassed but I definitely learned my lesson” (Jackson 1). This punishment from Blaha’s guardians helped him learn his lesson and acted as a deterrent for the future. In Fulton County,
Cited: Belkin, Lisa. “Bad Grades= Public Punishment” The New York Times. The New York Times Company. 18 February 2009. Web 30 Oct 2012. Romaker, Janet. “Fashion Police: Judge Tailors punishment that fit Criminals to a T.” The Blade. Waveson, Ohio. 7 Sept 2012. Wed Oct 2012. “One boys very public punishment” Abcolocal .go.com.N.p., 23 Mar. 2012. Web 30 Oct 2012.