The Consequence Deficit

Children learn best when there are consequences to their actions. Stimulus generates response. Hot surface equals ouch. Say bad words equals punishment.

But most adults don’t learn well because for all but the most severe situations in life there isn’t a stimulus/response system in place. If an adult breaks a really important law they could go to jail. But even then they have to get caught first. If an adult shows up to work drunk they could get fired. But even then many times nothing happens. Adults learn to misbehave knowing there are no consequences.

What we’re witnessing in the world right now is a magnified version of this issue. There are no consequences to very dangerous actions being demonstrated by “protestors” so they won’t learn. In fact, it will embolden them to do more of the same over and over and over again.

So, what should our Governments do? That’s a tough question but doing nothing is unlikely the best answer.