Grounding (discipline technique)
Disciplinary action usually taken in the home by parents against children / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grounding is a general discipline technique in the United States, Canada, and other countries, which is restriction of children at home from going out or pursuing their favorite activities, with the exception of any obligations. During this time period, any positive reinforcement is taken away and other privileges, such as but not limited to using the Internet, playing video games, watching television, listening to music, or using the telephone are often revoked. A common use of grounding is room restriction, where children are confined to their bedrooms with the exception of obligations.
Grounding is used as an alternative to physical discipline, e.g., spanking, for behavior management in the home.[1][2] According to a 2000 review on child outcomes, "Grounding has been replicated as a more effective disciplinary alternative than spanking with teenagers with challenging behaviour."[1] Grounding can backfire if the type and duration of restrictions are disproportionately severe for the behavior meant to be corrected, or if the restrictions are too difficult for the parent to enforce due to resistance.[3][4]