First, you said nothing about "maintaining order in class room". You said punishing a 7 year old for using a word. These are two completely separate issues. A single word doesn't disrupt order, unless order somehow is dependent on a single word not being said, but I would like you to give me any valid argument for why a single word by a 7 year old disrupts order.
Using the word in class. I figured maintaining order is implied. Have you ever been around seven year olds, Jemy? Cursing in a class room is pretty disruptive, having seen and used such words in class myself. I think using the n-word, the c-word, etc would definitely cause some reactions amongst fellow students and are not appropriate for a classroom setting. Would you use those words in your classes today, Jemy?
Second, a 7 year old is a 7 year old. 7 year olds do things all the time that doesn't work in a career. You do not even begin to develop abstract thinking until you are around 12 years old.
Sure. But using that word *in a classroom setting* is inappropriate, just as using that word in a business setting will usually be inappropriate. The kid can't think abstractly, thus why the basic "this word is wrong, don't use it" is a good rule to use, as the kid probably won't get why using it in school/work is not appropriate, whereas if he's talking to his friends it doesn't matter.
Third, you used the word "punish". I can guess of two reasons why you believe this is a valid procedure;
Yes. Punish, warn, admonish, if the behavior continues, detention. Not beat the kid with a baseball bat, Jemy.
1. You do not really have a clue why saying this word is wrong, or any idea on how to explain it to a child.
Saying the word in and of itself is not wrong. Using that word in that sort of environment is not appropriate. If I am in class, at work, or at a funeral, saying the f-word, the c-word, calling someone a bitch, etc, is not appropriate behavior for that situation. Amongst friends, a bar, etc, it's acceptable. It is not appropriate professional behavior in most circumstances, however.
2. You were yourself punished for doing this, and now you believe that's the best way to deal with a child.
It's acceptable after repeated behavior or if the kid generally doesn't care about the reasons you gave him.
What it all boils down to is that you are ready to harm a 7-year old because a 7-year old lacks the abstract thinking capacity to understand the consequences of their actions.
Detention or writing a page or two on why saying that word is inappropriate harms a child? Bullshit, Jemy. Bullshit.
Instead of you, as an adult, teach them why their actions are wrong, you are just going to harm them instead. What that tells me, is that you as an adult never yourself fully developed your morality into a solid foundation that can be taught to others. You lack valid arguments that would make sense to a 7-year old, so you go caveman instead, training a child like you would train a dog.
And it seems to me you just want to moralize and be a little prick instead of understanding what I am saying. Is this classroom appropriate behavior, Jemy?
"Student: You're a f'ing c'nt."
Yes, or no? If the student *knows* this is not considered acceptable behavior for a class room, what do you do? Allow the kid to keep saying it? I had more than a few classes on psychology and educational theory at the undergrad level too, Jemy, and your argument sounds EXACTLY like the one they tried to push that said if a Kid fails his classes he should not be forced to repeat that grade level because it "harms" him to do so.
It seems to me, that the child really isn't the problem in this picture.
And it seems to me you're just being a little prick and did not actually ask me for your arguments before you say I have no moral foundation. If you want to insult me, that's your choice, but since you're not presenting any arguments on your side other than saying that I have no moral foundation or that I "can't explain" to the child why it is "wrong", I'm going to give you the finger and tell you to piss off.
So you know what? Welcome to the ignore list. Have a nice life, dude. I have better things to waste my time on than you.