Discipline & Indiscipline’s Impact On Your Brain

According to: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719514/

Discipline is the structure that helps the child fit into the real world happily and effectively. It is the foundation for the development of the child’s own self-discipline. Effective and positive discipline is about teaching and guiding children, not just forcing them to obey.

In my culture, discipline isn’t withheld in most households. Mine too. Jamaicans say, “Bend the tree from it is small.” With my knowledge of history and being the mother of black American sons, my husband and I made sure we BEND that darn tree! We have no intention of looking for anyone in prison or paying lawyers. So, we instill discipline and make sure it’s followed, applied, understood, and lived.

Discipline allows children to develop self-discipline and helps them become emotionally and socially mature adults. There are many effective techniques that can help parents teach and guide their children, and some forms of discipline will always remain controversial.

An Indisciplined brain. Image by Annelise Lords

“Who do you want me to represent pro bono?” Vincent Powell asked Beverly, a long-time friend and colleague he went to college and law school with.

“I am sending the file over. That child is innocent. He is only twenty-one years old and his first offense and they carted him off to the penitentiary,” she complained.

“Ok,” Vincent said.

One day later, shock imprisoned Vincent as he read the file Beverly sent over. Nodding, he reached for the phone, “Angel,” he called out to his secretary, “get Beverly Santos for me now!”

Minutes later, his phone rang, “you got the file?” She asked as he answered. “What do you think?”

“Tell me more?” he suggested.

“His mother works for a cousin of mine. Nigel is his name and his father died when he was nine and he has been suffering since. Someone called the police on him for something he didn’t do. They didn’t find him and went looking for him. After finding him, they assaulted him and for his first offense, they sent him to the General Penitentiary. You can’t send a first offender to GP!” she defends.

“The police know that that is illegal,” Vincent said.

“And they are going to pay for that. He is innocent and it’s his first offense,” she protests.

“I know you are a responsible human and damn smart lawyer too. But did you investigate this?”

“That’s what his mother said, and my cousin believes her,” she explained.

His long-paused demands, “What do you know that I don’t Vincent?” she asked.

“Do you think the police would do that without a reason?” Vincent interrogates.

“Get to the point Vinny! My patience is still in yesterday’s hell!” she called out.

Vincent eased back years into trials and said, “My cousin was with Nigel’s mother after his father died. I was asked to represent him in family court. I did until he reached eighteen. I decided to stop.”

“What!” she screamed into the phone sending Vincent’s upper body back.

He put the call on speaker and went on, “he steals, bullies, lies, cheats, and is kicked out of every school he goes to. He hasn’t been inside a classroom since he was fifteen years old. His community resents him because he is violent and verbally and sometimes physically abusive to everyone!”

“Are you sure we are speaking about the same young man?” she demands.

“His files are sealed because he was a juvenile. I represented him for my cousin’s sake. I begged his mother to get professional help for him. Instead, she covered and protected all his wrongdoings. I told my cousin if nothing is done for this child, he is going to spend most of his life in prison,” Vincent explained.

“I resent being lied to!” she bellows into the phone, sending Vincent’s upper body back again.

Call Clive Wellington at GP, he will give you Nigel’s history,” he suggests.

“I intend to!” she hung up complaining. “How dare they lie to me!”

Vincent nods, then disengages the call.

Ten minutes later his phone rang, “It’s Miss Santos,” Angel’s voice said on speaker.

“I am sorry for getting you involved in this. Everything you said is true. But how could a mother protect and cover the wrongs her child does? Isn’t she aware that’s a death sentence!” Beverly said in frustration.

“I told her that discipline is an asset, but the lack of it will become a liability not only to her, her family, their community, the system but also to humanity,” Vincent recalls begging Nigel’s mother to seek professional help for him. He also gave her a list of doctors and counselors who would help him pro bono.

“And it’s the lack of is that is contributing to our world raging towards another world war,” Beverly said in pain.

“I took the time to explain to her that children should know the difference between right and wrong very early, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they do,” Vincent stirred his memory recalling the weird look on Nigel’s mother’s face as she held him close.

“She didn’t think that was her responsibility?”

“Her behavior towards discipline scared the hell out of me. She never corrects that child. I found out too late,” Vincent’s memory adds.

“But how can a mother do that?” Beverly stressed. “He is a black child. It’s a death sentence!”

“From the state, society, and our world too,” Vincent adds.

“Well, it’s not too late to learn,” Beverly said.

“You know what my answer is going to be,” Vincent alerts her. “His mother used me to help her protect and cover his wrongs that are out of control now because she didn’t impose discipline as a good parent should.”

“I think it’s time someone allowed him to learn from his mistakes. She just paid several thousand to the court and a mother in her community for what he did to her child. I am walking away too,” Beverly said.

I know many parents who protect and cover the wrongs their children did. Then blame society and the system for their life of imprisonment. Society and life didn’t imprison their children, their lack of ability to do their jobs properly, effectively, and with love and understanding, did.

Discipline can be an asset, but the lack of it will become a liability to humanity. — Annelise Lords

This piece is true that happened two days ago. Parents control their children’s fate and destiny, unaware of that power.