slave susan

Facilitator, MAsT Central New Jersey

Punishment and discipline: two words with related, but different meanings; yet, words that we within the lifestyle at times use as if they were interchangeable. Whereas punishment can most concisely be defined as a penalty imposed for wrongdoing, the definition of discipline that seems best suited to this discussion is a punishment inflicted in order to implement correction and training. Therefore, to differentiate, within our Master/slave lifestyle, to discipline someone is to train them, by instruction and practice, to obey rules and accept authority, whereas punishment is merely one of the tools that can be used in order to gain control or enforce obedience.

Now that we have adequately defined the two words, I will focus on the one that I perceive as the basis of this discussion when it was originally brought up … and so the question arises as to how effective a tool punishment is in the pursuit of said discipline. That, I believe, greatly depends on not only the particular dynamic of the relationship, but also in the individuals involved in the dynamic. Whereas some individuals will find themselves altering their behavior in order to avoid punishment, in some instances, positive reinforcement is a more effective tool. Even when punishment is called for, what is the appropriate punishment? How do you determine if the punishment fits the crime, so to speak? Is corporal punishment an effective tool if a submissive or slave enjoys pain? Or can the Master inflict said pain in such a way as to take it from being enjoyable and actually make it a form of punishment?

What forms of punishment have you Masters found to be most effective? What forms of punishment do the slaves among us find enough of a deterrent to prevent future repeats of the punishable offense? Is punishment alone enough? Perhaps these questions will open up a dialogue that will assist us all in our disciplinary goals.