The great thing about words is people not only argue about the appropriateness of them but often about the exact means as there are many in English that a very similar but not completely the same.
A punishment is the imposition of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome upon a group or individual, meted out by an authority—in contexts ranging from child discipline to criminal law—as a response and deterrent to a particular action or behaviour that is deemed undesirable or unacceptable. Of itself it doesn't include guidance, being essentially reactive - you break a window, you receive legal sanctions for criminal damage such as a fine or community order.
To discipline implies active steps around teaching and training appropriate conduct, attitude and behaviour but when a rule is broken, a sanction is applied to deter the person from repeating. This can and for me does include forfeits, lines and spanking.
Discipline is key.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent post Joanne.