Everyone fears punishment, the thought of being chastised is one that most people try to avoid. But what makes punishment so bad? Often they just send you to a corner and say "bad (insert name here)"; it is a mere slap on the wrist from the outsiders point of view. After spending much of my life in the time out chair and detention room, I have found that "a slap on the wrist" is quite an understatement.
As I got to experiment with punishment, try some new flavors, I began to understand their deeper effects. For small crimes, it was a detention in a room with others. One could still see and hear and talk to others, it was more of a study hall than anything else. But as the offence becomes more severe, those who share the punishment become exponentially fewer. This is where the isolation sets in.
This is where the punishment is at its peak, when one is completely aware of everything that is around him but unable to interact with it. Being alone, completely and utterly alone, is worse torture than anyone could imagine. As I realized this, I finally came to understand why prisons used this technique to soften the hardened criminal. Isolation forces one to reflect on every aspect of his personality, to find all of the flaws in his character. This forced reflection can be constructive, but for many this can be the finishing blow.
The moment of knowledge of personal character with all of its flaws has never been a fear, the fear is to deal with oneself alone. Isolation forces understanding, but it does not allow for the individual to interact, to find solace, to understand what it means to be who he is. This is my greatest fear, finding my greatest flaws alone and not being able to overcome them. The extent of isolation goes far beyond many comprehend, and because of that it is often miss used. Separating a person from society is not a punishment to through around because it seems like a good idea, isolation is the peak of punishment. The fact that this is used for students in high school is appalling. But what would I know, I am the equivalent of a common criminal.
I totally agree with you that isolation is the worst form of punishment. I don't really personally understand it from the punishment side of the argument, but coming from an only child, it really does suck to be alone.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting post to read. To me, the thought of isolation as a punishment is quite frightening. It's more than just a scolding--it's being forced to, as you say, "reflect on every aspect of your personality".
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