Written by: Ken Pierce, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“The only difference between discipline and punishment is one word.” Rakim was a new dad. He and his spouse, Raakel had a six-year-old son named Rand. Both Raakel and Rakim had turned 30 on their last birthdays and were very devoted to each other and their son. Rakim was a video game developer while Raakel worked in middle management for the federal government.
“We need to understand the difference between discipline and punishment. Punishment is what you do to someone; discipline is what you do for someone.” – Zig Ziglar, author
Rakim told me Rand was an energetic and lovely kid who had just started school and was very excited about it. Both Rakim and Raakel struggled with their parenting at times and for Rakim, it was bothering him more as his little boy got older. He was experiencing a lot of confusion and guilt about it. Rakim told me this was what had brought him to call me.
Rakim said he was concerned as well because he had never been a father before, and had a conflicted relationship with his father which prevailed even today. So, he said he didn’t want to “screw up” Rand with his lack of knowledge and skills about being a dad.
“What do I want the child to learn?”
I asked Rakim what were the situations where they struggled with their parenting and where was he worried about his skills.
He replied with,
“Usually it is around him misbehaving…like,…not wanting to go to bed or not wanting to get ready for school…that sort of stuff. My parents were pretty casual about yelling, slapping or shoving me in the direction they wanted me to go. Today, of course, that is just not accepted and I know why. But, how do you get kids to behave?”
“Rakim, it sounds like you’re confused about the difference between punishment and discipline. Would that be accurate?” I asked.
“Yes, Ken, that captures it quite well actually!”
“The fundamental question to ask yourself before you intervene with a child is, ‘What do I want the child to learn?’ because that will be the critical factor in how you intervene with punishment or discipline.”
“…that difference is dramatic, especially in terms of effectiveness for all concerned.”
“What is the difference between punishment and discipline? The terms seemed to be used interchangeably.”
“Rakim, you are correct. Many people, including parents, misunderstand the difference between the two…and that difference is dramatic, especially in terms of effectiveness for all concerned.”
“What do you mean, Ken?”
“Let me offer you the seven differences between punishment and discipline quickly and then we can discuss them, Ok?”
“Sure!”
“First, punishment is focused on fear, discipline is focused on learning; second, punishment is based on authority, discipline is based on caring; third, punishment creates distance and resentment, discipline creates closeness and caring; fourth, punishment teaches might is right, discipline teaches we can resolve problems together; fifth, punishment creates mental confusion, discipline creates mental clarity; sixth, punishment is less efficient, discipline is more efficient; and seventh, punishment is short term gain, discipline is long term gain.”
“…key distinction between punishment and discipline is captured in one word…choice!”
“Wow! It sounds like punishment is really destructive while discipline is much more constructive.”
“Rakim that is an excellent analysis. You got it right on.”
“So, Ken how can you tell the difference between the two of them?”
“Well, it is really like beauty…it is in the eye of the beholder…the perceiver…the child.”
“Are you saying we adults punish children while thinking, we are disciplining them?”
“Yes! And not just parents, our society and its systems and organizations do it as well. The key distinction between punishment and discipline is captured in one word…choice!
“Would you give me an example, Ken?”
“Sure…let’s keep this really simple so you can see the distinction clearly.”
“Ok!”
“It’s different because it has different assumptions.”
“Suppose you observe Sally, a four-year-old who wants to get a toy which is high up on a shelf. Sally gets a thick book, and puts the book on the dining room table, climbs up on the table, stands on the book and reaches up to get the toy. So, Sally is endangering herself, dirtying an eating surface, damaging the table, and so on. With me so far?”
“Yes!”
“Punishing Sally would be to strike her, yell at her, lecture her, grab her off the table, send her to her room, send her to a ‘time out’ chair, belittle her verbally, and so on.”
“You’re saying all those are forms of punishment…correct?”
“Yes! Because they all are based on the adult having more power, strength and authority while ignoring Sally’s needs, values and intellect.”
“So, what would discipline look like with Sally?”
“It could go something like this: ‘Sally, I realize you want that toy, it is very cool, but you could fall and hurt yourself; and since we eat off the table, we don’t want dirt on it. So, I want you to come over here and sit down and think of another way to get that toy that won’t get you hurt and the table will stay clean. And, if you need help I can assist you, too. Ok?’”
“That’s very different…isn’t it?”
“It’s different because it has different assumptions. It assumes Sally needs to play with that toy, it assumes she is well-intentioned, it assumes she is unaware of the danger, it assumes she can learn quickly, and it assumes she values her relationship with me. Can you see all of these assumptions in the approach, Rakim?… And, it gives her a choice in how she resolves the situation instead of imposing a solution on her!”
“…Discipline prepares them for their future and other, often more important, decisions.”
“Yes, I can see all of that! It is so different from what I experienced as a kid,” he said, wistfully.
“Discipline empowers kids to be creative, resourceful and thinking-focused, instead of feeling-focused. Discipline prepares them for their future and other, often more important, decisions.” I suggested.
“I can see that now!”
“If you are agreeable, next week, both you and Raakel, could bring in some examples of your current challenges with Rand and we can brainstorm options using the discipline principles we have discussed today.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea. Can we book a consult next week, I will talk to Raakel tonight after Rand has gone to bed?”
“Let’s get a time right now!”
Rakim and Raakel came for three more consults. They quickly were able to find other discipline-based options instead of what they had been doing.
Raakel said the biggest difference was in the way she felt using discipline instead of punishment. As she put it, “I feel much closer to Rand now and my guilt is gone.”
“Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.”– Bruno Bettelheim, psychologist
Points to ponder and remember
Punishment, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder…the perceiver.
Punishment, in any form, is based on power or authority and is a less efficient way to enhance learning.
Children are in a focused learning mode so discipline is much more efficient.
Punishment is focused on fear of some form of pain and so promotes survival and not learning
Discipline is based on caring for the learner and getting them to use their innate creativity in the situation.
Discipline promotes closer relationships while punishments push people away.
Punishment teaches kids that might is right while discipline teaches them we can resolve problems together.
Punishment creates mental confusion and revenge to protect one’s dignity.
Discipline creates more mental clarity, self-esteem and self-confidence
Punishment is focused on control and short-term gain, while discipline is focused on respect, learning and long-term gain.”
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Ken Pierce, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ken Pierce is a board-certified clinical psychologist and CEO of The Pierce Institute of Psychology Inc. He has authored many psychological works including seven books and 400 case study web-posts. Ken is considered a human behaviour expert having worked in business, education and private practice for over 40 years. He has served thousands of people of all ages from a diverse spectrum of life challenges. This group include executives, teams, organizations, individuals, couples and families. He has served on the faculty of two post-secondary institutions, Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island.
Ken was also the first psychologist globally to achieve Master Facilitator credentials with the renowned Demartini Institute and is a Senior Faculty of the Glasser Institute. He has spoken at many regional, national and international events. As head of the The Pierce Institute of Psychology Inc. (TPI), a community service facility, he is a leader in moving clinical psychology forward by transforming a labelling and medicating focus to appreciating human adaptions as tools for empowerment. This is demonstrated in the latest research in evolutionary anthropology, biology, neurology, psychiatry and psychology. This scientific approach is found in the work of Drs. William Glasser and John Demartini and the services of TPI.
Ken resides in Stratford, Prince Edward Island with Anna, his partner of 50 years. They have three daughters and three grandsons. Ken's interests vary widely from quantum theory to energy efficiency to building stone walls.
