DISCIPLINE

Discipline refers to the ability of the individual to reflect societal values and expectations in carrying out activities as to when, where and how such activities are expected to be done. The individual does things according to laid down rules and regulations. It is the attitude of doing the right thing at the right time and at all times without being forced or persuaded to do so. Discipline can also be seen as the training of the mind and character in order to produce obedience to rules, self-control and self-respect. It is a process of training and learning which fosters growth and maturity. It helps us to be well behaved, adjusted, happy and useful to our society. An individual who obeys the rules and regulations in his immediate and wider environment is accepted as a disciplined person.

As good citizens of this great nation, we must obey the laws of our land and show respect to constituted authorities like government officials, the principal, teachers, our parents and elders, etc. We should also obey all the traffic rules to avoid accidents and the school rules and regulations to avoid being punished. Disobedience to laws attracts all kinds of punishment while obedience to the laws brings rewards like awards of prizes, commendation and good reports. Discipline brings orderliness and organization in society. It leads to peace, harmony, progress and development of the nation.

 

Attributes of Discipline

Discipline has the following attributes:

1. Self control: This is the ability of a person to bring in real power over emotional feelings that can affect his personality negatively. This means that a disciplined person can always control his actions and emotions at all times, particularly when it has to do with sex, money, position, drinks, food, quarrels, etc. You can hardly know or notice when a disciplined person is hurt, angry or excited. His posture or stand in matters of these examples will mark him out as a disciplined human being.
2. Moderation: This is the quality of being rational and not being at the extreme of an issue. Moderate people always try to strike a balance between two extremes of life the leftist and the rightist. They also avoid attracting attention to themselves unnecessarily. A disciplined person should believe in moderation and be moderate in his actions and activities.
3. Modesty: This has to do with the facts of not talking much about oneself as regards abilities or possessions. Disciplined people do not talk much about personal interests, but what will benefit all. Modesty can also be seen in dressing. Many young boys and girls nowadays dress very loosely or indecently, thereby exposing parts of their body that should be protected or covered. Examples are the sagging issue among youths; the show back, show breast and show bottom among the female folk. All these exposure of the body is not decent at all and should be fought squarely by all and sundry (stakeholders) to save our young ones from going the wrong way.
4. Respect for legitimate Authority: Authority means the formal right to make and enforce laws and policies which citizens must obey. Legitimate authority, therefore, is the authority that has the mandate of the electorate or voters.This legitimate authority commands respect from the citizens. In other words, disciplined citizens must obey constituted authorities or legitimate authorities without being forced to do so. Obedience is the reward a legitimate authority receives from disciplined citizens.
5. Respect for Rules and Regulations: Rules and regulations are the measures put in place to control human behaviour. It gives opportunities for both the weak and strong, rich and poor to exist and carry out social, political, economic and commercial activities in society. All the categories of people must obey the rules and regulations of the law for the smooth running of the affairs of society. Offenders to the rules and regulations are adequately punished to serve as a deterrent to other lawless people. Disciplined students should obey all school rules and regulations to avoid being punished.
6. Perseverance: This is the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim or goal in spite of difficulties. To persevere means to hold on, press on, and not to give up or get tired or discouraged until one’s task is accomplished or done. This calls for hard work. Students should take their academic work seriously and should not be discouraged or give up when faced with a difficult task or challenging situation. They should, rather, persevere or press on until success is achieved.
7. Dedication: This is the hard work’ or effort that somebody puts into an activity or purpose because it is important. It is a devotion to one’s duty or assigned job. Dedication is always an observable behaviour showing interest and good sense of responsibilityin carrying out activities. Disciplined students should be devoted to their academic work and other assignments or tasks given by the school authority.

 

Benefits of Disciplined Behaviour

The following are the benefits of disciplined behaviour in society:

1. Provision of Social Amenities: Communities or societies with disciplined citizens are always rewarded with social amenities like pipe-borne water, good roads, electricity, schools, etc. Citizens contributed in providing these amenities through their support and tax payment efforts. Some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other agencies do make donations of school books or materials, provide health services, free medical treatment and ensure eradication of water-borne diseases. Some individuals even built schools and provided school desks for use in our schools. These things are not possible when we lack disciplined behaviour.
2. Income Generation, Savings and Investments: Disciplined behaviour helps to stimulate income generation, savings and investments. People will be willing and able to work and earn income. Part of it can be saved and later invested to produce more goods and services for the satisfaction of all and sundry and for the economic growth of the nation.
3. Creation of an Enabling Environment: Disciplined behaviour brings about an enabling environment for production, distribution, exchange and consumption of goods and services. ‘Enabling environment’ here means adequate security for life and property, good roads, electricity, peace and order. All these will promote economic activities and lead to progress and development.
4. Strong Institutions will Emerge: Disciplined behaviour in a country makes it possible for strong economic institutions like banks, insurance, stock-exchange and cooperative bodies to emerge or operate in order to provide facilities needed for the sustainable growth in both human and material resources.
5. Other Social Institutions: Marriage, health, legal : and religious institutions will spring up to become centres for correct spread (dissemination) of information and sound moral standards, helping to stamp out or stop setbacks like violence,robbery, cheating, corruption, selfishness, greed, etc in society.
6. Fundamental Human Rights: Disciplined behaviour in any country is a guarantee of people’s rights as the agencies of government and members of society will join forces to ensure the protection and respect of the human rights of the citizenry. People will not be deprived of their human rights like right to life and property, peaceful association, expressions, movement, equality before the law, etc. All these rights will be respected and safeguarded.

 

Consequences of Undisciplined Behaviour

The consequences of undisciplined behaviour, among others, include:

1. Social Instability: Societies with undisciplined behaviour witness these symptoms:confusion, selfishness, ‘god-fatherism’, favouritism, frustration, inefficiency. These factors not only hinder smooth running of societal affairs, but constitute barriers in the wheel of progress; that is to say, they become obstacles to progress.
2. Corruption in High and low Places: A country with undisciplined behaviours is a country that is corrupt in mind and practice (through and through). This means that the government and her agencies will emerge through fraudulent and questionable ways and cover it up with lies, which will eventually show them up as corrupt people. Since the leaders are corrupt and do the wrong things, the followers will equally follow same route or way, copying from their leaders the wrong ways of life.
3. Weak Social Institutions: Where there is undisciplined behaviour, social institutions such as religion, politics etc become centres for idle praise singers, where people gather to discuss persons, not issues or ideas, and dish out rumours on nonexistent issues. Some are regarded as ghost workers, i.e. workers that only collect salaries and do not come to work. Some have poor work habits; others only work to direct government reserves to private use. Religion and politics which ought to help in the shaping of unwanted behaviours are now centres to hide evil and cover up wrongs.
4. Exposure of Government and her Citizens: The citizens of a country that have undisciplined behaviour are exposed at the international communities. The citizens become targets of wrong doings, because of the social stigma tagged on them. Many Nigerians today suffer deportations, imprisonments, suspended sentence, etc as a result of bad behaviour observed by their host countries.
5. It can Be Harmful to the Innocent Citizens: Some innocent people who are ignorant of the wrong doings of others are sometimes victims of undisciplined behaviour which is not traceable to them. Some innocent people have died or gone to prison as a result of what others did. Undisciplined behaviour is harmful and should be avoided by all and sundry.