Process Of Disciplining Techniques For Boys And Girls
1. Introduction
Discipline is a process of teaching children which type
of behavior is acceptable and which is not. It involves techniques like
reinforcement, modeling, and being "kind but strict." Ideally,
discipline should help a child develop self-control. However, in many school
settings, the disciplining process is heavily influenced by gender stereotypes.
2. Gender Discrimination in the Disciplining Process
Traditionally, boys and girls are disciplined differently
in the classroom. This is often summarized by the old Tamil proverb: "Punish
the male and praise the female."
A. Punishment Patterns:
- For
Boys: They
are punished more severely and physically. Common punishments include
making them stand on the bench, kneel down, or stand aside in the
classroom.
- For
Girls: They
are often given "soft" punishments like writing impositions
(writing a sentence 100 times), standing outside the classroom, or
summoning parents.
- The
Bias: While
physical beating is now a legal offense, scolding boys for bad scores
while ignoring girls’ behavior is a form of ill-treatment.
B. Seating and Physical Space:
- Seating
boys and girls in separate rows or reserving specific areas (like the
dining hall) exclusively for female students is construed as gender
discrimination.
- Reserving
specific campus areas for one gender limits the socialization process.
3. Seven (7) Tips for Maintaining Discipline
For discipline to be effective and gender-fair, teachers
should follow these "Tips":
1.
Fit the Temperament: Discipline should match the child’s natural
personality. An active child should not be "mellowed down" into a
passive one.
2. Communicate the Plan: Explain the rules to
students before they break them. They should know what to
expect.
3. Respect the Child: Even when disciplining,
show respect. If a teacher loses their temper and overreacts, they should
apologize to the student.
4. Be Consistent: Rules must be the same
every day. If you don't follow through on consequences, the technique will
fail.
5. No "Lingering"
Lectures: Once
the punishment is over, do not keep talking about the bad behavior. Help the
child return to normal activities immediately.
6. Age Appropriateness: Understand what is normal
for a child's age. Don't make demands that are beyond their developmental
ability.
7. Look for the "Why": Find the reason behind the
behavior. Is the student tired, hungry, or stressed? Understanding the
"Why" is part of the solution.
4. Recommended Disciplining Techniques (Positive
Discipline)
1.
Rewarding Good Behavior: "Catch them being good." Praise
reinforces the behavior you want to see.
2. Natural Consequences: Letting the child
experience the result of their action without adult interference (e.g.,
breaking a toy).
3. Logical Consequences: A consequence related to
the misbehavior (e.g., cleaning up a mess they made).
4. Taking Away Privileges: Removing a favorite
activity for a short time (e.g., no TV or playground time).
5. Strategies to Eliminate Gender Discrimination
To move toward a gender-just school, teachers should
implement these strategies:
- Same
Yardstick: Use
the same standards of behavior and punishment for both boys and girls.
- Common
Seating: Provide
similar seats and seating arrangements for male and female students.
- Equal
Opportunities: Give
both sexes equal chances to lead discussions and offer views boldly.
- Psychological
instead of Physical: Move away from physical hitting, mocking, and "mental
torture" to psychological guidance.
6. Conclusion
Discipline is a part of the socialization process. When
teachers use discriminatory techniques, they reinforce harmful Gender
Role Stereotypes (e.g., men as aggressive leaders and women as passive
nurturers). By using a common yardstick and respecting the child’s dignity,
teachers can ensure that discipline leads to true character building for all
students.
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