Why is corporal punishment called "discipline"?

[SHRED]

I have never figured this out.

Are people trying to soften the word "punishment" by using the word "discipline"?

Discipline is shown by example. If the parents have discipline then the children will see it.

Punishment is punishment.

[FBaggins]

1. Discipline has meant punishment to correct for centuries

It isn’t anything recent

[SHRED]

3. I understand that

[leftieNanner]

6. I disagree

The root of the word discipline means teaching. Jesus had disciples. He taught them. He didn't beat them. The modern connotation has come to include physical abuse, but it really doesn't work. Just IMHO.

[FBaggins]

10. All true... but still wrong

That’s the Latin root... but as it transferred to French (from whence it comes to English), it took on the meaning I cited.

The point is that the so-called “modern” connotation is about 900 years old

[RockRaven]

2. So monsters can beat the shit out of their kids while feeling self-righteous about it?

or other people's kids if you're in one of those states with really fucked-up school rules/laws.

[leftieNanner]

4. Corporal punishment doesn't work

It teaches kids that it's appropriate to solve problems with violence. Discipline means teaching.

Your question is a good one.

[SHRED]

5. I've always thought this about corporal punishment

Parents don't spank their friends when they misbehave yet will wail on their own kids when they do.

I've always thought how bizarre that must be for kids.

[leftieNanner]

8. It says a lot about the parents

And harms the kids. I had a challenging daughter when she was 2. I would give MYSELF a time out if I was getting angry and walk outside or into another room.

She then put herself in a time out at preschool when she was upset and went and sat in her cubby!

[3catwoman3]

11. And then tell them not to hit others.

Major cognitive dissonance.

[SHRED]

13. True

[Eugene]

7. Because a certain ancient book mentions it more than a dozen times.

[guillaumeb]

9. Discipine sounds better than sadism, or abuse. eom

[WheelWalker]

12. Wishful thinking.