Discipline: Meaning, Benefits And Attributes Of Discipline (National Values) (2023)

Civic Education

Table Of Contents

1. Meaning Of Discipline
2. Attributes Of Discipline
3. Benefits Of Disciplined Behaviour
4. Consequences Of Undisciplined Behaviour

National Value Discipline

Meaning Of 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 as 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, as well as the school rules and regulations, to avoid being punished. Disobedience to laws attracts all kinds of punishment, while obedience to the law brings rewards, 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 exercise control over his emotional feeling that can affect his personality negativity. This means that a disciplined person can always control his action and emotion at all time, particularly when it has to do with sex, money, position, drink, food, quarrel etc

You can hardly notice when a disciplined person is hurt, angry or excited. His stand in matters of this 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 strike a balance between two extremes of life; the leftist and the rightist. They also avoid attracting attention to themselves unnecessarily.

A disciplined person is always moderate in his dressing, speech, appearance in public and so on.

3. Modesty

This has to do with, not talking much about oneself as regards abilities or possessions.

Disciplined people do not talk much about their personal interest, but what will benefit all. Modesty can also be seen in dressing. Many young boys and girls nowadays dress very indecently, thereby exposing part of their bodies that should be covered.

Examples are, sagging of trousers among yung boys, showback, show breast, and show buttocks among the young ladies, all this exposure of bodies are not decent at all and should be fought against by every right thinking persons 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 which citizens must obey. Legitimate authority, therefore, is the authority that has the mandate of the electorate of voters.

Legitimate authority commands respects from the citizens. In other words, disciplined citizens must obey legitimate authority without being order to do so.

Obedience is the reward a legitimate authority receives from disciplined citizens.

5. Respect For Rules And Regulation

Rules and regulation are the measures put in a place to control human behaviours. It gives opportunities for both the weak and strong, rich and poor to exist and carry our social, political, economic and commercial activities in society without being oppressed.

All the categories of people should obey the rules and regulation for the smooth running of the affairs of society. Offenders to the rules and regulation are adequately punished to serve as a difference to other lawless people.

Disciplined students obey all the school rules and regulation 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. This calls for hardwork.

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 be, rather persevere or press on until success is achieved.

7. Dedication

This is the effort that somebody put into an activity or purpose because it is importance. It is a devotion to ones duty or assign job.

Dedication is always an observable behaviour, showing interest and good sense of responsibility in carrying out activities.

Disciplined students are devoted to their academic work and other assignment given by the school authority.

Benefits Of Disciplined Behaviour

The following are the benefits of disciplined behaviour in our society.

1. Provision Of Social Amenities

Communities or societies with disciplined citizens are always rewarded with the social amenities like pipe-borne water, good roads, electricity, schools etc. Citizens contributed in providing amenities through their support and task payment effort.

Some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other agencies do make donations of school books or materials, provide health services, free medical treatments, and ensure eradication of water borne disease.

Some individuals even build schools and provides school desk for use in school this things are not possible when we lack disciplined behaviours.

2. Income Generations, Savings And Investments

Disciplined behaviours helps to stimulate income generation, 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 beings 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 institutions like Judiciary, Police force and law enforcement, banks, insurance, stock exchange and co-operative bodies to emerge, in order to provide enabling environment for sustainable growth in the society.

5. Other Social Institutions

Marriage, health, legal and religious institutions will spring up, to become centres for dissemination of information and sound moral standards, helping to stamp out or stop setbacks like violence, robbery, cheating, corruption, selfishness, greed, and so on, 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 rights of the citizenry.

People will not be deprived of their rights like right to life and property, peaceful association, expression, 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 behaviours 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 completely. This means that the government and her agencies will emerge through fraudulent and questionable ways, and cover things 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, 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. Some have poor work habits; others only work to channel government revenues to their private uses.

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 behaviours 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, etc, as a result of bad behaviours observed by thier host countries.

5. It Can Be Harmful To The Innocent Citizens

Some innocent people who are ignorant of the wrong doings of others 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.