PARENTAL VIEWS OF LEARNER DISCIPLINE AT HOME AND SCHOOL

Abstract

Discipline among schoolchildren in South Africa is currently not of an acceptable
standard. This is due to various factors and circumstances, among which the prevailing
political situation is one of the most conspicuous. The new post-apartheid government
has through the past three decades found it difficult to put an end to the general spirit of
violence that has become ingrained in the citizenry’s social fabric. This spirit of illdiscipline
has also taken root in schools, and in some cases, in parental homes. With the
aid of the social space and ethical action theory, three social spaces were identified: the
parental home, the school, and the space between home and school. The qualitative
empirical investigation (using a questionnaire) based on this theoretical framework
concentrated on the parent-respondents’ views of the state of discipline at home and in
the school and the interplay between parents and the school in the space between home
and school. The investigation revealed that parents viewed discipline at home and in
school as affected by factors such as inconsistent application of rules, lack of
communication, and external pressures in the form of exposure to peer pressure and
social media. They understand the need for collaborative efforts between parents and
teachers, the setting of clear boundaries, and the application of non-punitive, respectful
approaches for creating a consistent and supportive environment for their children’s
development.

Keywords: discipline, education, parent, parental home, parental views, social space