Unnecessary punishment v. Direct consequences

[not.your.average.joe]

Is unnecessary punishment effective?

Your child is failing in school and will either have to take summer school or be held back a year (this is not an attack on public schooling).
When I say 'unnecessary' I mean punishments that have nothing to do with the problem. For example, the parents may give the child a curfew because he is failing school.

I would think that the consequences of the actions (like earning the money to pay for summer school) are a much better motive to do well than the consequences (which should happen regardless) + an unnecessary punishment.

I would think the unnecessary punishment would build resentment and cause a loss of respect on both sides, and that direct consequences are the better teacher.

What do you think?

[euphemia]

I would not consider a curfew an unnecessary punishment. School is a student's job, and if he is not doing enough to pass, then he doesn't get to go out and stay out late. He should stay home and study to improve his grades. I would also make sure the student has proper support and maybe a diagnosis. All the more reason to have him home eating nutritious food and getting plenty of rest.