Punishment: Encyclopedia II - Punishment - Types of punishments

Punishment - Types of punishments

This is just a typology with some well-known examples. For a more exhaustive traetment follow the links, and for a more extensive list, use the category:punishments.

Punishment - Judicial and similar i.e. for crimes

• Socio-economical punishments:

• fines or loss of income
• confiscation
• demotion, suspension or expulsion (especially in a strict hierarchy, such as military or clergy)
• restriction or loss of civic and other rights, in the extreme even civil death

• physical punishments (see that article) :

• corporal punishment s.s.

Though the words physical and corporal simply derive from the Latin viz. Greek words for body, CP is often used more specificly to refer only to various forms of painful beating on body parts, usually taking the form of whipping or caning with various implements, and markings such as branding or mutilations such as amputation and castration. Legality of these varies from country to country. However it can be defined more widely:

• capital punishment is the most extreme form of punishment as it ends all bodily functions for good (used by a substantial number of countries, ironically including some that declare mere beating inhumane - see use of death penalty worldwide)
• various uncomfortable positions, such as in too confined spaces or being tied down long in an unnatural position that puts muscles under increasingly painful stress, e.g. lying with the English imposed on Boer boys emprisoned on Bermuda 1899-1902 in a cruel experiment of Anglicizing 'reeducation' : "they were made to lie down on their backs on the ground with one army blanket beneath and one on top, their outstretched legs tied by the feet to pegs hammered into the ground, while their arms were stretched out above their heads, with their hands manacled and also tied to a peg in the ground. In this excruciating position they had to spend the night before receiving the following morning the prescribed number of whip lashes across the bare back [i.e. buttocks] while naked and held over a barrel. One Tommy held his ankles, another would clasped his hands together behind the boy's head and pushed it downwards" for such 'rebellious' misdeeds as speaking and singing their native Afrikaans (condensed translation from Penkoppe van die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog [Penkops of the Second War for Independence] 1899 - 1902 by Pets Marais)
• custodial sentences include imprisonment and other forms of forced detention (e.g. involuntary institutional psychiatry) and hard labor are in fact also physical punishments, even if no actual beatings are in force internally
• forms of deprivation of sleep, food etcetera, though these are often unofficial or accessory
• excessive physical efforts such as prolonged calisthetics, holding up a heavy object
• banishment, restraining order
• clinical castration for sexual assault is being tried in a few countries but may lead to charges of eugenics, since the individual is rendered infertile as a result

• public humiliation often combines social elements with corporal punishment, and indeed often punishments from two or more categories are combined (especially when these are meant reinforce each-other's effect) as in the logic of penal harm

Punishment - For children

Common punishments imposed by educators (parents, guardians or teachers etcetera; traditions differ greatly in time, place and cultural sphere) are :

• corporal punishment as above - mainly spanking in various mode) (banned in some countries, in others even prescribed by law) and uncomfortable and/or humilitating positions, e.g. kneeling, holding a heavy object up;

as this is disapproved of by many modern educators, and banned by certain legislators, there is an increase of alternative punishments, physical or other, such as:

• time-outs such as corner-time or even locking up in a dark place
• writing lines or an imposed essay (often on a 'fitting' subject)
• mild forms of custodial sentences
  • detention, often combined with tasks as study, (extra) homework etc.
  • grounding in general or specific refusal of permisson to participate in some fun activity or to see a friend (usually seen as a bad influence)
• temporary removal of privileges (e.g. telephone, TV or computer use)
• confiscation (usually temporary) of a toy or other personal item, separation from a pet
• denial of treats such as dessert, favorite meal, even no dinner
• extra chores
• writing lines or an imposed essay (often on a 'fitting' subject)
• fining, usually by deduction from the allowance

Even the above have come under criticism in recent times. Arguments against non-violent modification of behavior include the issue of ethics, and whether your will should be forced on your children. Taking Children Seriously is a way to address the concerns mentioned in this paragraph.

Punishment - Other

• penance
• psychological punishments

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Types of punishments", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki