So a friend of a friend of mine took part in a new form of punishment.  Well, I should say it was new to me.  After talking to some fellow co-workers I guess it's not new at all and has become a pretty big parental tactic the past few years.  Infact after doing some internet research, I found it's more common than what I originally thought.

She caught her 10 year old son in the act of retail theft.  She caught him after he had already committed the crime.  She promptly made him return the stolen item to the store.  As far as his parental punishment, she didn't ground him nor did she take anything away from him.  What she did do was force him to wear a sandwich board that read, "I'm a Thief" on it and stand at the busiest intersection in their area for 6 hours.  It really ended up only being 4.

The whole thing caused quite a stir locally.  A few different people who were also parents talked to him and didn't agree with the tactic and tried to get him off the curb.  He would not comply.  They followed by calling the police.  When the police officer strolled up investigated, he talked to his mother on the phone.  She asked if she was doing anything illegal?  He basically said he COULD consider it a disturbance but he would just like him off the intersection.  She then moved the child to another area to continue his sentence.

Personally, I think this parental tactic is straight up GENIUS!  Why?  Because Humiliation is more effective than a stripped freedom.  The pic below is NOT the actual picture of HIM because this mother wanted to keep him under the radar if at all possible even though she does feel others took pictures as well.  However, I did put this picture up to give you at least an idea of what I'm talking about.  What are your thoughts!?