Threats, Warnings, Punishment and Privileges

Imagine this sign in a school...

Threats will not be tolerated. Anyone who threatens anyone else will be expelled. (This is not a threat. It is a warning.)

--

Here are two signs on two different beaches. The first is actually a warning. The second is a threat disguised as a warning.

Warning: Sharks have been seen in this area.

Warning: If you enter the water you will lose your Internet privileges for one week.

This leads to the question, "Is using the Internet a privilege?" Maybe so in a very poor country, but what about in an affluent one? Does a person feel privileged when they check their email or search for information? Or is denying someone the use of the Internet when they do something you don't want them to a punishment?

Teenagers are often denied access to the Internet by their parents as punishment by the way, regardless of what this denial it is called.

EQI.org Home Page

Core Components of EQI.org

Other EQI.org Topics:

Emotional Intelligence | Empathy
Emotional Abuse | Understanding
Emotional Literacy | Feeling Words
Respect | Parenting | Caring
Listening | Invalidation | Hugs
Depression |Education
Personal Growth

Search EQI.org | Support EQI.org

EQI.org Library and Bookstore

Online Consulting, Counseling Coaching from EQI.org