Discipline and Punishment - The Key Differences Between These Two Terms

The words discipline and punishment are often used to mean the same thing. But they are very different. Discipline is the technique to help a child learn self control and how to behave in a way that is socially acceptable to others. Discipline must always focus on positive reinforcement and self-esteem of the child. The purpose of discipline is to help a child to control their behavior and emotions, learning and should be further reinforced with lasting memories. Punishment is a style of discipline. There are different types of corporal punishment, including spanking or beating. And there are psychological punishments such as removal of privileges or sending a child to their room. The purpose of punishment is to control unacceptable behavior.

Discipline and punishment techniques both attempt to correct behavior. Criminals remove accountability for bad behavior of the child. Children must learn that they must take responsibility for their actions to self-check, so they succeed as a respected grown. The purpose of punishment is to stop a child of nature. But the punishment usually only stops the behavior when punishment is given. Punishment does not teach a child how not to make in the future again. Severe punishment may cause physical and emotional damage that could last throughout the life of the child. Severe punishments may also lead to abuse.

Another difference between discipline and punishment is that punishment only works in the moment. If a child is punishable by loss or shouted, they will learn to be rude, if someone can see what they do and that they learn not to misbehave in the future. Discipline is designed to give a child how to self monitor and how not to bad behavior in the future to repeat learning.

Discipline and punishment are different in that discipline is a continuous evolutionary process, where parents teach their children self-control and the importance of acceptable behavior. Parents have a responsibility to communicate clearly their expectations for their child, including what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior. There are many choices discipline and punishment is one of them. Punishment can work at the moment, but just change the behavior of a child, a parent should commit to a discipline process conducted during the development of their child.