Grounding is a generaldiscipline technique throughout theWestern world, particularly in theAnglosphere of theUnited States andCanada, and other countries heavily inline withAmerican mass media which restricts children or adolescents at home from going out or pursuing their favorite activities, except for any obligations (school, doctor's appointments, etc.). Moreover, anypositive reinforcement and other privileges are often revoked.
Grounding is used as an alternative tophysical discipline, e.g.,spanking, forbehavior management in the home.[1][2] According to a 2000 review on child outcomes, "Grounding has been replicated as a more effective disciplinary alternative than spanking with adolescents withchallenging behavior."[1] Grounding can backfire if the type and duration of restrictions are disproportionately severe for the behavior meant to be corrected, or if the restrictions are too difficult for the parent to enforce due to resistance.[3][4]
This term was used initially inaviation: when a pilot is prevented from flying an aircraft due to misconduct, illness, technical issues with the aircraft, or other reasons, the pilot is"grounded" – that is, literally confined to the ground.[5]
