What is the difference between punishment and discipline?
 

It really irks me when the media use the word discipline in place of the word punishment as if they were the same thing. I think the distinction between the two is disappearing in our society and is lost on many. So I ask, what is the difference between punishment and discipline?

My wife and I struggle with this all the time. When I referenced myself as a strict disciplinarian, I meant that I believe in enforcing and inculcating within my kids strong sense of self control and responsibility for one's actions, as well as an awareness of the consequences therein.

Punishment should only be meted out as a response to the breakdown of self-discipline.

I couldn't agree more. I've found that these qualities develop as a natual result of being treated with respect.

Setting boundaries and providing choices with natural consequences is discipline. Punishment will only create resentment and shift blame towards the punisher -- the punished will not accept responsibility.

The difference in my mind is internal vs. external.

I'd call punishment a subset of discipline.

Props to you :sun1:

I'll take a shot at it.

Discipline is the ability to maintain focused on a task. Punishment is retribution for bad behavior.

How's that?

Thats a lot like how I was raised. Punishment was worse if you lied than if you fessed up to what you did and accepted responsibility.

Kinda where I was going.

Discipline is adherence to a set of guidelines...punishment is the negative consequence of straying from those same guidelines.

See, I'd say that discipline can be divided into two kinds: discipline imposed by self, which I think is what you've described, and which also includes things like guilt and conscience; and discipline imposed externally. Externally-imposed discipline would include, but not be limited to, punishment.

Is that a prison picture? My first take on 'the position' is probably not what was intended.

Jesus webwench, were things ever tough at your house.

Discipline is when you teach your child to always put ten cents of every dollar he gets in a piggy bank. Punishment is when you spank the **** of him for stealing yours.

:eek2: Dirty-minded Kitty!

If you're talking about the difference between 'disciplining a child' and 'punishing a child', the difference seems just semantic to me with no real substance.

I too am a fascist when it comes to my child, especially when it comes to television. Parenting is very difficult nowdays with corporations on a quest to steal children's souls.