Some who support the more coercive strategies assume that children will run wild if they are not controlled. However, the children for whom this is true typically turn out to be those accustomed to being controlled – those who are not trusted, given explanations, encouraged to think for themselves, helped to develop and internalize good values, and so on. Control brreeds the need for more control, which then is used to justify the use of control.
-Alfie Kohn, from Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes
Duh … Children will run wild. Your offspring will get out of control at some point. The question is whether they screw up with sweets and suffer the consequence of a stomachache while you’re there to help or whether they screw up with drugs once they’re out on their own….