While I agree in general, you seem to be implying that because praise is "better" that punishment has no value. I am sure that isn't what you are saying, but f

While I agree in general, you seem to be implying that because praise is "better" that punishment has no value. I am sure that isn't what you are saying, but for the sake of argument, here's a counter. After raising a few kids, and watching many other parents do the same, I have found that both praise and punishment is an absolute requirement for success. But praise is good for personal bonding, and punishment for learning responsibility. As an adult we punish ourselves (if raised to self evaluate) and on the extreme side we justify our selves in error if only given praise. Self evaluation cannot be done without self punishment. Before you go nuts on what "self punishment" means in this context, I will provide one. At the lowest level it means acknowledging that an error was "my fault". The most minimum amount of punishment possible is taking responsibility. It hurts, it's punishment. Blaming others is easy, and doesn't hurt at all, but will not help you avoid repeating a mistake. Having to apologize for a mistake or hurting others is a form of self imposed (or parent imposed in some contexts) punishment. And it's extremely effective in resolving conflict. Again, I am sure that I read into your point, but it seemed fitting to address this purely from an argumentative perspective.