what does the word discipline mean to you?

Question

to me discipline means to teach

the reason why i ask is because when i mentioned the word in the same sentence with my son, a women threatened to cal the cops on me for abuse.

Answer 1

I'm glad you asked this. Many people use the word discipline to mean punish--and according to the dictionary it is one definition.

I think of discipline more like you do. I think of it as teaching, training, guiding, probably correcting. When I hear the term 'well disciplined' I think of a person who is responsible, well behaved, polite, acts appropriately--not one who has been punished extensively.

I think of discipline as a continuous, ongoing thing. I believe that we discipline our children in almost every interaction we have with them. Whether we are purposely teaching or not, our children are constantly learning from us what is right and wrong.

Great question.

(edit) I just read your previous question as well. Ok, I'm a bit concerned. Three month olds do not throw temper tantrums. They don't have 'wants' they have 'needs.' You really can't discipline a 3 month old's behavior (in any sense of the word). You said you were a teacher, so you must remember some of your psychology or child development classes. They are all 'id', not even the ego has developed yet. At this age, all you need to do is to respond to his needs. If he needs to be held, hold him, or fed, feed him. It's normal for them to cry when they need something--that's the only way they can communicate. The best thing you can do in order that it doesn't escelate into screaming is to respond immediately. I had the issue with my son too. Between the time I found that he was hungry and got the bottle made, he was usually screaming. That's what they do I think. I'm sorry if I come off rude here, but, no babies that age absolutely do not throw tantrums and do not need their behavior molded. Molding the behavior of children comes in when they begin to do things that they know are wrong. Not when they are crying to have a need met.

Answer 2

It has no meaning close to punishing your children for wrong doing. It could be a form of formal training, but really has more to do with areas of study and with self -discipline means to motivate. I think with children, just good consistency is really the key. A structure in which they can grow in cause they know the boundaries. I've been teaching for 30 years and I'm willing to bet that a child that was raised in a structured and nurtured environment for the first 12 yrs. of her life , probably could make it her own if tragedy struck. Where as the negected, abused, spoiled ,enabled child would have a hard time making after the age of 12 in a well structured and nuturing environment. The two greatest tragedies of this society are the cycle poor children having children and the well off enabling perfectly healthy children into unaccountable priviledged helplessness. The first group will most likely have a tremendously difficult uphill battle from the get go and may self medicate, while the second may fall into the same trap, but it will be later in life when reality sets in and the parents can no longer control their child's environment. Do you run in and fight with the teacher if your child gets a C, then you might be a red enabler. As a teacher , we often dig in if we like the kid, and give in quickly if it appears hopeless in that case we just picture the child at 17 on the couch, jobless, telling the mother where she can go. but thank God she made the Honor Role in the 5th grade.

Answer 3

In my eyes it means to teach pretty much what is right and what is wrong. I had the same problem before when I was speaking with my husband about disciplining our almost 3 yr old daughter for throwing stuff at people,at the store. Some lady over heard us discussing what actions to take such as sitting down and talkin to her versus smacking her hand and telling her what she did wrong and why she got her hand smacked. Kids these days need to be taught right from wrong rather than letting them run wild like a lot of people do anymore...anyway the lady said if we were smacking our daughter that she would call CPS or the cops on us and honestly I told the lady that I do not abuse my child and to mind her own business... Some children need a smack on the hand or butt if they are misbehaving too bad but I do not believe in beating your children to get the point across...There is nothing wrong in discipline as long as you know how to do it and when to do it,and how far to take it...

Answer 4

I read your previous question, and your headline definitely caught my attention and concerned me at first. Once I read through your explanation, I had a better sense that you were looking for ways to teach your son not to get so upset - not ways to punish him.

It sounds like you are concerned (and perhaps frustrated, at times), but it didn't sound like you wanted to spank or ignore or yell... It sounds like you are looking for ways to respond to your son's behavior to deescalate it.

My two cents on that question: I agree that you really can't discipline a baby that young. They really don't get it yet. Hopefully, you can just try to be calm and reassuring to him to let him know that his needs are being met... even if not as quickly as he wants. He's not able to calm himself yet either, so I don't agree with the posters who suggested laying him down until he calms down. On the other hand, if it gets to a point where you are very frustrated, or you can't safely prepare his bottle while he is flailing around, you may need to lay him in his crib for a few minutes.

You might want to try feeding him on a schedule and, at least offer him a bottle on a set schedule.

You might try distracting him when you need to prepare his bottle by having someone else hold or play with him or put him in a swing or bouncy seat.

Now, back to THIS question.

I was taught that "discipline" comes from the word "disciple," meaning "to teach."

I think that a lot of people have come to associate discipline with punishment and consequences, too. Apparently, both are part of the accepted definition of discipline.

Here's a copy of a definition of "discipline" from answers.com:

"dis·ci·pline (dĭs'ə-plĭn)
n.
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.

Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.
A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
Punishment intended to correct or train.
A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
A branch of knowledge or teaching."


With that definition, I understand how people misinterpreted your question, but some of the responses were over the top and I'm sure very hurtful to you. I'm sorry that you didn't get the answers you needed.

You might try contacting your son's pediatrician or, if you have one in your area, a local nurse help line. You should probably rule out any medical concerns with your son, but most likely, he just needs what he needs right now, and his only way of coping and communication is to cry and become upset. He's virtually helpless.

Take care and know that it will get better... and not everyone is making snap judgements about your fitness as a parent because of the words you used to ask a question.

Answer 5

It means to teach, yes - the root word is "disciple". Specifically, it means to teach someone right from wrong, and good morals.

It doesn't just mean punishment, though that is part of it. It also means teaching responsibility, such as assigning household and yardwork chores, so that a child learns how to take care of themselves as an adult.

Punishment can include writing lines. That was one of my mom's favorite punishments, and it was quite effective.

Answer 6

to teach or correct

correction NOT to be confused with punishment

if when trying to discipline, teach, or correct there is a blatant disregard for my teaching... then a consequence may be "earned"... ie: prized toy lost for the afternoon, no tv time for the day, or in our house - the dreaded "time out spot" (you'd think that blue mat on the living room floor against the wall was made of hot coals or something)

Answer 7

it means the same thing to me. ppl are way over board with the whole protecting children thing at this point they are protecting children from becoming functional members of society! the punishment is only half of it. to me discipline is teaching your child what is expected of them and providing negative consequences for not following the rules and positive ones for following the rules. i think that time out is the most effective form of punishment or grounding for older kids.

Answer 8

To teach someone (can be a child, or someone under your supervision at work, etc) ... how to focus themselves to a positive result. Not always an easy task ... self-disipline is the best way .. teach by example.

If that doesn't work, something to get their attention is needed. With a child, maybe a quick easy slap on the hand ... with a worker, a meeting with notice that information goes into their permanent employee record.

Too bad there isn't an easy answer .. we'd all be less stressed! hehe

Answer 9

I agree it is teaching, but discipline is a verb as well as a noun.
Mother, who raised 7 of us, says each of us were different and the method of discipline that worked for one did not work for all. Some of us responded to talking, some responded to spanking and some needed both. Failure to discipline effectively, including spanking -not beating- is akin to child abuse.

Answer 10

I totally agree with you.... discipline is guiding your child/children and teaching them right from wrong. But, not all people agree with this definition and when someone says "discipline" they automatically assume "punish"