Timeout or Prison Biz?

I still do not fully understand the philosophy behind the great American “Time Out” as a top form of punishment for American children and adults alike.

My understanding so far, is that adults may send their under-age children to Time Out (T/O), for whatever reasons the adults deemed not worthy of their praise or approval, with the hope that if the children executes the Timeout as ordered, they might one day be worthy of this glorious praise. Yes, this is a highly recommended form of punishment and corrective measures by authorities in America.

The more I think about the timeout method in modern America, the stronger I am of the convictions that it could not have been like that, a century ago in America. Think for instant; when a child throws tantrums or gets out of control, the proper corrective measure used is Timeout; Child throws books on the floor after a warning not to do so, they gets Timeout; …steal a cookie, gets Timeout; Refused to do chores gets Timeout; Aggressions in any form against anyone, gets timeout.

This is where I ask my first question, what is the philosophy behind throwing our children into isolation, hoping that for whatever reason we send them there, will absolutely improve or maybe eradicated? In my unscientific opinion, this is laughable. When I reflect on the Timeout method culturally, from an outsider’s perspective, I can almost draw parallels between it and the entire Prison system of modern America.

The American adults whom were once children, goes to the Penitentiary today, for exactly the same acts or behaviors for which Timeout was used as remedies or solutions. Adult “Timeout” in modern America today is Prison, let us call it what it is. Unfortunately, there are more beneficiaries of system today than was a hundred years ago. This brings me to the second questions; who ordered the studies that led to suggesting that Timeout  is the best way to punish a child for doing anything that is not worthy of our Praise as a society?

I recognized, studies or discussions are needed as a society regarding this topic. I believe that as a civilized society, the isolation of our children from cradle to grave is wrong.

No, I am not totally dismissing the effectiveness of timeout, in some areas it serves well. But I will say this, before we send people to the corner..., toddlers or adults, we should try to use less cruel methods to address the causes for which a person is send to the CORNER/JAIL. Timeout in my opinion is temporarily taking away ones freedom to participate in life and whatever life means to them at that moment. My views may be adversely stated here, so, please give me your thoughts about this topic…because I am still not clear about the philosophy behind it, after all those years.

MS