The word discipline is often synonymous with being scolded by a parent, teacher, boss, or the rigid procedures of the army or a communist regime. Many associate it with punishment or deprivation. However, the dictionary meaning of discipline is ?training of the mind or body or moral faculties for self-control?. Discipline comes from ?disciple?, which means ?to teach? a child to grow into a person. Those who succeed know that discipline is an ally that forges character and brings success.

Discipline is learnt from early childhood at home, at school and continues throughout adult life to help achieve health, wealth, successful careers, happy and healthy relationships. Once learnt, it brings self-control and independence without the need for somebody to always tell us what to do.

When a child is small, it has to be taught the rules of life. The first is the recognition of authority. In the past, this was easy as knowledge and authority rested with parents and teachers. Their roles in setting discipline were recognised and observed by all. Today, life and values have changed and resulted in an erosion of discipline.

Discipline associated with punishment and sometimes unfair punishment at home and at school will not do any good. Discipline starts with very simple things ? getting washed, eating properly, tidying one?s room, doing homework, managing pocket money, watching television. This is how children learn self-discipline and will apply it to whatever they do in life.

However, a lot of social issues have undermined discipline ? the change from extended families to nuclear families, permissiveness, long working hours of parents, breakdown of families with divorce and single parenthood, peer pressure, influence of the media, easy access to the Internet, etc. Discipline at school has got out of hand. Misbehaviour, swearing, threats and assaults on teachers are becoming commonplace. Teachers no longer enjoy the same respect as in the past.

Furthermore, some adults are themselves undisciplined and bad examples for the children they are supposed to be bringing up. Society itself does not always present a positive image. Drug addiction, drinking, irresponsible driving, corruption violent assaults, rapes, robberies and murders are social evils that make the headlines. White collar crime has increased dramatically. But should we give up at this dark picture? Does this reflect the attitude of the majority?

The above-mentioned examples obviously reflect the unhappy lives of people who have maybe never been taught the value of discipline. We just have to look at the many achievers in sports, business, the arts, etc. They have succeeded because somewhere they have learned the value of hard work, sacrifices, delayed gratification, going sometimes against the flow. It is so easy to sit and watch TV or listen to music instead of doing homework; to eat junk food instead of a proper healthy meal.

Discipline involves patience and perseverance and is not overnight success. Discipline is not always fun and games but the satisfaction of achievement. Besides, discipline should not be seen as punishment or lack of love. Adults who avoid discipline harm not only the children in their care but society as a whole. Discipline leads to self-respect, respect for others and personal responsibility in front of the difficulties and temptations that children will inevitably face in adult life.