What is discipline? Well, some people are very sure of what they mean by discipline. The description that follows from John Holt's Book "Freedom and Beyond" is probably very close to what many people really mean. It has a strong ring of truth to it.
"If we give children freedom how will they ever learn discipline?' This is a common question - really a statement. When people talk about their child 'learning discipline' what is it that they really want him to learn? Probably, most or all of the following:
- Do what you're told without questioning or resisting, whenever I or any other authority tell you to do something.
- Go on doing what you're told for as long as you're told.
- Never mind how dull, disagreeable, or pointless the task may seem. It's not for you to decide.
- Do whatever we want you to do willingly. Do it without ever having to be told. Do what you're expected to do.
- If you don't do these things you will be punished and you will deserve to be.
- Accept your life without complaining even if you get very little if any of what you want, even if your life has not much joy, meaning, or satisfaction. That is what life is.
- Take your medicine, your punishment, whatever the people above you do to you, without complaining or resisting.
Living this way is good for your soul and character."
What does this really mean? Firstly it means that a teacher must be in control. It means that a teacher must control all student's every move at all times. It means that students must learn to obey without question those who are in a position of power and that this is somehow good for them, and will make them better people.
...and that means that people are trapped in their own thinking. They say "discipline" but they expect "obedience". They say they want to change their life but what they do is control other people's lives. They make sure that others live in accordance with their concept of "good life", which means - never, under no circumstances, are others allowed to live "better" than them.