Application

Physical punishment was found to have detrimental outcomes on children. For example, physical punishment is associated with increased aggressivity ( Weiss et al., 1992 ) and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction ( Holmes and Robins, 1988 ). Therefore, parents and future parents need to learn about alternatives to punishment in exerting behavioral control over their children. Following is a list and description of several proposed alternatives ( Ateah, Secco and Woodgate, 2003 ; Honig and Wittmer, 1991 ; Hyman, 1997 ). They can be remembered by the acronym D-RAMPART, which stands for d istraction, r eward positive behavior, a nticipate, m odeling self-control, p reserve self-esteem, a ge-appropriate consequences, r ules, and t eaching.