Reward and punishment<\/p>\n
I am writing about the column you printed on the front page of
\nyour July 31, 1995 The Jakarta Post titled By The Way...What do
\nreally we get in life?.<\/p>\n
That's right, life is full of threats and punishment, but it
\nis not true to say that it is especially so for Indonesians. The
\nwriter, G.A. Koesoemowinoto, says "even as babies they are faced
\nwith all kinds of punishment". Then he refers to the famous
\nlullaby about mosquitos biting you, if you don't go to sleep, as
\nhaving to do with babies facing punishment.<\/p>\n
You're right, it is an exaggeration. The whole article is an
\nexaggeration. It may be very well that many Indonesian parents
\nrear their children with a punishment reward system. It is also
\ntrue, that parents all over the world rear their children in the
\nvery same way. Growing up in America, my parents would also tell
\nme that if I didn't finish my dinner I would not receive any ice
\ncream or that I could not watch TV if I didn't finish my
\nhomework.<\/p>\n
That doesn't mean I am being punished. It simply means that
\nyou are not privileged to eat ice cream or watch television if
\nyou do not fulfill the responsibilities which have precedence.
\nAdditionally, the above kind of discipline is usually for
\nchildren from the age of two until the point that they can
\nunderstand that it is necessary for them to eat their food for
\nstrength and well being.<\/p>\n
So, why in the world would you want to tell, let's say a six
\nyear old, that if he doesn't eat he could get sick and eventually
\ndie? Maybe that is logical thinking for an adult, but not for a
\nchild. I am positive that once children reach a level of
\nunderstanding that food is necessary for survival, you will not
\nhave to use ice cream as a ploy for them to eat their dinner.<\/p>\n
It would take a lot more than threats of taking away ice cream
\nand television to permanently make a child go through his entire
\nlife believing he will be punished or rewarded for things he
\ndoes.<\/p>\n
Next Mr. Koesoemowinoto says a participant of a management
\ntraining program including a lot of tiring physical exercises
\nasked, "What do we get from doing all these?" Mr.
\nKoesoemowinoto's response: "Imagine his agony throughout the
\ntraining as his mind is occupied with the question. He has failed
\nto see the fun of the exercises, not to mention, the physical
\nbenefit they offer. It is typical Indonesian to ask that
\nquestion. I mean, most Indonesians measure everything with what
\nthey will get in terms of outside reward or punishment."<\/p>\n
Who gives Mr. Koesoemowinoto the authority to generalize about
\nmost Indonesians on the basis of the question of one person.
\nFurthermore, he says Indonesians never go the extra mile to
\nimprove, to excel or to do their best and will only do what they
\nare paid for and nothing more.<\/p>\n
That is a very negative and inaccurate opinion. Since I have
\nlived in Indonesia the last three years, I have never seen people
\nso sincere and hardworking as Indonesians. Yes, it is true a
\ngreater percentage of the population is not out to "climb the
\ncorporate ladder", but Mr. Koesoemowinoto did you ever think that
\nmaybe they are just happy doing what they do and thankful they
\nhave enough money to eat. This is a developing country with a
\nvery wide range of educational levels. Not everyone can see or
\neven understand the bigger picture of excelling to improve and to
\ndo more than is asked of them.<\/p>\n
Now you're gone too far to say "And worse, they function
\nproperly only when someone's watching their back. This is
\nespecially true with civil servants. When a boss is out of town,
\nhalf of the office will be empty." And you're going too far to
\nsay "At school, students do the homework or try to arrive on time
\nto avoid being punished instead of learning how to solve
\nproblems, or about discipline." And "At home servants work hard
\nwhen their employers are round. When their bosses are not home,
\nthey adopt a different attitude. They gossip on the phone, spank
\nthe kids and steal the food."<\/p>\n
You have discussed so many issues in your article;
\ndisciplining toddlers, executives, school-age children and
\nhousehold help. And on every account I disagree with you.
\nEspecially about the servants. My servant is very hardworking and
\nwould never dream of doing the things you said. What goes on in a
\nperson's home or office is directly related to the way it is run
\nfrom the top down.<\/p>\n
It is true that all throughout a person's life they face
\ncertain consequences for their actions. And, I stress
\n"consequences". That does not mean they are punished and rewarded
\nwith everything they do. It simply means that if you act a
\ncertain way, you are treated a certain way. There is nothing
\nwrong with that.<\/p>\n
"What happens to self-satisfaction, self-esteem or pride?" you
\nasked. It is smashed out by the destructive criticism that you
\nportrayed in your article, Mr. Koesoemowinoto. The picture you
\npainted of your people, is very undeserving.<\/p>\n
REBA MAGRUDER<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reward-and-punishment-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }