Discipline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discipline - Essay Example The long range results of punishment may be negative. Discipline is more than just administering punishment whenever rules are broken, its more about the upbringing and general guidance that’s given to an individual that can enable him choose right from wrong. In order to have effective discipline, love and not anger should be the guiding factor. Most parents are expected to punish their children whenever they misbehave. They end up using physical punishment as a form of discipline when irritated by their children. Physical punishment is just a temporary measure of correction that does not teach the children right values. Physical punishment can cause physical, mental or emotional injury. It can even lead to death. Children learn from adults and can take this as the only way of solving conflicts. Once punished, a child may feel he has paid for the misbehavior and may want to do it again. It’s also hard to use physical punishment once a child grows up. It is common knowledge that eliminating undesirable behavior without having a desirable strategy to stimulate more desirable behavior is generally ineffective (American Academy of Pediatrics, 724). Mistakes committed are good avenues to learn if children are guided properly without us ing physical punishment. Consequences can be used as one of the positive ways to instill discipline in children. Consequences are different from punishment since they involve learning through experience. It teaches children to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their behaviors. Consequences can only be positive discipline if parents can learn to be calm, attentive and to be good listeners. The parents should be ready to accept the solutions of their children as it’s a learning experience. Parents need to communicate clearly the consequences of breaking certain rules to their children. Children can learn from natural consequences or logical consequences