Disciplining spoiled brats

Disciplining spoiled brats

From Suara Karya

Reading an article in Suara Karya (Sunday, May 28 1995) on
discipline, my heart sank at the thought of how little discipline
there is in Indonesia. But at the same time I was pleased that
this particular problem has been given due attention.

The daily Suara Karya reveals that Indonesians' sense of
discipline is very low. The way they use public facilities is
discouraging and often results in inconvenience, disturbance and
sometimes endangers others. Look for example at how the Liga
Indonesia (Indonesian Soccer Tournament) is carried out. The
tournament is often colored by strong protests, brawls between
players, or between players and spectators, and also between fans
of one team and those of another.

I am particularly glad to know that many scholars from
different fields are turning their attention to the problem of
discipline. And not less than President Soeharto himself found it
necessary to launch a program called the "national discipline
movement." But I have not seen any effort made to teach
discipline to young children at schools.

Let me relate an interesting incident I experienced some time
ago. When returning home from a foreign country, I was seen by a
friend from the Immigration Office. After all procedures were
completed, while waiting for my luggage, I gave some chocolates
to my friend's children. What baffled me was that after the
children finished eating their chocolates they threw the wrappers
on the floor, instead of putting it into the waste basket. I
think this is the result of a wrong upbringing. The children are
spoiled and are most of the time left to the full care of their
maids. The children get the wrong concept as they grow. They lack
an understanding of responsibility and continue to practice their
bad habits.

I believe that discipline should be introduced as early as
possible. Discipline is strictly observed in Japan and is taught
to children beginning in play group. These children know their
duty and how to behave -- sweep floor, form a line and abide by
rules within their scope of understanding. In this play group,
the children are taught how to respect each other, to help
themselves, to cooperate, to smile and make others happy. A
hostile pupil will find himself isolated by his fellow pupils.
The Japanese are known for their discipline and politeness and
kindness towards foreigners.

The Japanese are highly disciplined people. They never observe
national events, yet their nationalism is very high. I have
learned that the Japanese possess a deep sense of discipline and
spirit which has enabled them to achieve a lot.

The sense of discipline, however, cannot be achieved
overnight. It requires a long process of education, and the
result will only be felt in the next generation.

LUTHFI D MAHFUDZ

Kagoshimashi, Japan