"Discipline" is a word whose meaning in Jamaica has been relegated to the archives of most computers. One meaning given by the OED is: "being under control by training in obedience". This refers to both mind and body being brought under control.

Anthony Gomes

The present behaviour of young adults in schools and on the streets immediately makes one wonder how these youngsters were brought up. The spontaneous response may well be that generally speaking parents have acquiesced under pressure from their children to be "cool" and let them have their way.

The following is a quote from this column in January 2005 attributed to the pastor of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church: "Parents, your children are not your friends, they are your children. Children, your parents are not your friends, they are your parents. Parents should not treat their children as friends and vice versa, because friendship permits certain liberties between people that are not appropriate in a parental relationship.

If allowed, such liberty can lead to children dictating to parents. This behaviour in many cases results in parents abdicating their responsibility for raising their children, becoming followers instead of leaders in their role as parents. Parents make themselves redundant by abdicating their responsibilities to the school, the church and the government. In some cases, also to the domestic helper and even to the television! In effect, they have no moral say in their children's upbringing."

One reactionary observation in the press was: "Focusing on the parents is preposterous. How could they prove that bad parenting led to violent behaviour?" The example accompanying the comment refers to children from good homes with privileged backgrounds indulging in drug use, violent antisocial behaviour and other unsavoury activities. While there are exceptions to every rule, the point here is that character is central to a person's attitude to life, and this unfortunate example indicates flaws in the personality that surfaced, despite a comfortable home life and good parenting.

Regrettably, we frequently witness in the media the consequences of parental dereliction of duty, relative to the numerous stabbing deaths among students, the rape and attempted rape of female students and teachers, the internecine warfare between rival gangs in the classrooms, assaults on teachers and other school employees that manifest itself in the sloppy dress codes of both sexes who have little respect for decorum, age or the rule of law.

COBBLA... the commandant is to be commended for managing the camp along martial lines that substitute for any lack of parental control and obedience training at home.

In some cases, this wayward behaviour has a tragic end that in nearly all instances was never visualised by the perpetrators. In cases of inflicting grievous bodily harm and death, depending on the age of the offender, incarceration would be appropriate. As proclaimed by the Mikado, the emperor of Japan in Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, "Let the punishment fit the crime." There has been a public clamour for miscreants to be whipped and rapists castrated, but both forms of punishment at present are outside the law.

Character-building is an essential part of life that cannot be overlooked.
Self-discipline is the mainstay of character that prompts the free will to choose right over wrong. Dysfunctional character produces the opposite as demonstrated by unacceptable and usually violent antisocial behaviour.

It has long being proposed that compulsory National Youth Service be introduced to develop an understanding of one's self-worth and the realisation of self-discipline. Many parents enrol their children in the Martial Arts while giving their reason for so doing as "For the children to learn discipline". While this is not a singular characteristic of the Martial Arts, it is a powerful formula with a high rate of success with the youth and adults of both sexes.

An alternative is the National Youth Service training camp at Cobbla in Manchester for boys and girls which is assisted by the Jamaica Defence Force. Coming from a casual family environment to a disciplined atmosphere is bound to affect those who have not benefited from a structured home life. The overall out-turn from the camp is very good, and the commandant is to be commended for managing the camp along martial lines that substitute for any lack of parental control and obedience training at home.

At Cobbla, recruits rise daily at 4:30 am for physical training. Jogging is mandatory while moving about the compound, and anyone found walking may be punished with push-ups, extra laps or anything the soldiers deem appropriate. The regime's strict mental and physical discipline engenders sharply improved concentration, a longer attention span, a higher tolerance for discomfort, and a much better physical condition. This should lead to greater self-confidence, resulting in respect and courtesy for family, friends and last but not least, greater self-esteem.

Whichever way you look at it, freedom has to be managed or it will become a source of anarchy. This is true at the national level of governments and replicates itself in the home. This is one of the great imperfections of our Jamaican society. As adults, we live under the purview of government jurisdiction that lacks enforcement, resulting in the creation of libertines who run amock without any consideration for their fellowmen.

The genesis of this attitude began when as a toddler the child was allowed to display destructive behaviour with impunity.
Operating in Jamaica there is also the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme that offers incentives for different levels of achievement by participants. The course takes place over a prolonged period and is considered to be very strenuous. It is an excellent vehicle for measuring one's mettle and practice of self-discipline.

In Jamaica, the country has become mesmerised by the letters after a person's name while, generally speaking, interest in the subject's character is relegated to a low priority. This omission plays a cardinal role in the high personnel turnover experienced in many companies and other organisations.

The ability to apply oneself over and above the call of duty depends on the individual's strength of character that relies on self-discipline to provide the determination to succeed. Self-realisation is based on the adage: "Unto thine own self be true, and thou canst not be false to any man."

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