discipline by eguriase s. m. okaka
Discipline
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka
Discipline is the quality of being in control of one’s behavior as a result of constant training. Discipline also means being well-behaved. A disciplined person is one who shows ability to control his or her behavior. He or she has a good training of mind and character and is able to exercise self-control and obedience to rules and regulation. A disciplined person does things as the society or group approves, rather than, as he or she wants.
Every society needs disciplined men and women for the affairs of a society to run smoothly. Discipline is one of the most important values in a society. It enables us to do the right things without being forced. No society ever realizes its goals if its citizens are not disciplined.
Attributes of Discipline
Like other values, discipline has many attributes, some of which include:
Self-control: Self control is the ability to control your feelings, actions and desires, especially while expressing them. A self-controlled person takes into account, circumstances surrounding him or her. At a time and takes decision(s) accordingly, however, a self controlled person takes to the advice of others, but he or she behaves as he or she deems fits.
Moderation: This is the quality of being reasonable and avoiding extremes. As human beings we must eat, drink, cry, laugh, play, etc., but we must not go to the extreme in doing these things, otherwise it becomes bad. There is an adage which says that ‘a virtuous man steers the middle course’. A moderate person does things moderately and avoids excesses. Moderation is an essential ingredient of discipline.
Modesty: This is the quality of having a fair opinion of yourself no matter your abilities, merits or achievements. It is the value that prevents you from becoming too proud. A modest person is not boastful and does not show-off. Instead, he or she behaves moderately and avoids self-praise.
Respect for Legitimate Authority: Legitimate authority is the power vested on a person or group of person to give orders and to direct the affairs of others. Legitimate authority is also called constituted authority. People who have legitimate authority are principals, teachers, and prefects, in the schools; doctors and nurses in the hospitals; factory heads, pastors or priests in the church, managers in banks, etc. The society is managed or directed by different levels of government. Each government is a legitimate authority.
Disciplined people respect legitimate authorities in the discharge of their official duties.
Respect for Rules and Regulations: Rules and regulations are made to guide the behavior of members of a group or organization so that it can be orderly and so that goals can be achieved. A disciplined person respects the rules and regulation of the group he or she belongs to for the maintenance of law and order, and for the achievement of set goals.
Perseverance: It is the quality of not being discouraged by failure despite difficulty or effect correction delay in achieving success. There is a saying that, ‘nothing good comes easy’. If we want success in life, we must persevere. Perseverance is a very important quality in life. Only a very few people succeed at the first attempt. For many others, they succeed after repeated attempts. We need perseverance in order to succeed in life and it is an important attribute of disciplined person.
Dedication: We all have things we regard as important in life. As a student, passing your examinations is important to you now. Dedication is the act of giving a lot of our time and energy in order to achieve what you regard as important in life. It is the willingness and readiness of a person to make sacrifices so as to achieve what is important to you, to others and to the society at large. A dedicated person is a disciplined person.
Benefits of a Disciplined Behavior
A disciplined behavior is a virtue and it has many benefits, some of which are include the following among others:
a) A disciplined person has the respect of other people in the society.
b) A disciplined person always has the honor of representing his or her people in the village, community, clan, government, etc.
c) A discipline person achieves personal and group goals very easily.
d) A disciplined person in public service usually enjoys unhindered promotion.
e) Members of a society who are disciplined cooperate with one another.
f) A society of disciplined people is a society where law and order flourishes.
g) A society of disciplined people is always peaceful.
h) There is reduction in the crime rate in a society where there are people who are disciplined.
Consequences of Indiscipline
If an individual is indiscipline, he or she suffers the following consequences:
• Lack of self-esteem: Self esteem is a feeling of self-worth, that is, confidence in one’s abilities. Indiscipline brings about loss of self-esteem, which is a feeling of emptiness.
• Lack of respect by others: A person who is not disciplined lacks respect. Therefore, he or she is often not respected.
• Lack of identification by others: A person who lacks discipline suffers isolation by others. People avoid him or her because he or she is regarded as someone who lacks moral values and can easily bring shame or disgrace to other.
• Underdeveloped personal qualities: Due to low identification and patronage by others, an indiscipline person is not always able to develop his or her capacities and qualities well.
• Constant encounter with law enforcement agents: An indiscipline person constantly commits offences. As a result, he or she is always having encounters with law enforcement agents.
• Lack of personal progress: Someone who is not disciplined cannot achieve anything, thus, he or she does not make personal progress.
Consequences of Indiscipline on the Society
A society that tolerates indiscipline suffers the following consequences:
(i) A society that tolerates indiscipline has bad image in the international country.
(ii) A society that tolerates indiscipline is usually isolated by others. Other societies will not want to have anything to do with such a society.
(iii) If a society tolerates indiscipline, its citizens will not be law–abiding. This usually leads to breakdown of law and order.
(iv) Indiscipline people usually breed trouble. Consequently, there is an absence of peaceful-coexistence in such a society.
(v) Indiscipline in a society leads to insecurity of lives and property.
(vi) Leaders in a society of indiscipline people are indiscipline themselves. Such people only provide poor leadership in the society.
(vii) There is always a high crime rate in a society of indiscipline people.
(viii) A society of indiscipline people has no respect for national symbols.
(ix) General underdevelopment is usually a characteristic of a society that tolerates indiscipline.
Questions
• What is the meaning of indiscipline?
• Discuss any four attribute of discipline that you know.
• List any four consequences that an indiscipline individual suffers.
• List any four consequences that a society of indiscipline people suffers.
• Narrate personal experience that demonstrates some attributes of indiscipline and consequences.
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