SELF- DISCIPLINE

AND PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITY
SELF – DISCIPLINE
 Existential psychologists profess that
man’s primary problem is no less than
himself . That’s why if an individual can
solve the problem of self, it will not be
difficult for him to resolve other
problems. This holds true for the
Filipinos. For their main problem is
themselves. If only the Filipinos can
work out their problem of self, perhaps
it would be easy for them to solve other
problems in Philippine society.
 But what really is the Filipino problem of
self ? It is no less than self-discipline
( sariling-disiplina,sarili means “self’ )
 Social analysts perceive that the people’s
lack of self- discipline is the root cause
of our nationwide problems, such as graft
and corruption in government, traffic
congestions, electoral fraud, kidnapping
for ransom, dagdag-bawas in canvassing
votes, incestuous rape, terrorism, pyramid
scam, among many others.
It is clear from the foregoing that the value of
discipline should not be underestimated or
taken for granted. Its utmost significance is
felt not only in one’s relationship with
others but also for one’s own well-being.
The unique distinction between a human being
and an animal is the former’s possession of
self-discipline. Because a human being is
rational, he ought to have self-discipline ; an
animal, on the contrary, is devoid of reason,
that’s why it has no self- discipline.
 This is the reason that John Stuart Mill
states: “ It is better to be a human being
dissatisfied than a pig satisfied “ ( Reyes
1989). In Filipino experience, higit na
mas mabuti ang maging isang tao na
hindi nasisiyahan kaysa isang baboy na
nasisiyahan .For a pig acts as an animal ,
while a human being acts as a human
being; that is, a human being has a
sense of propriety and self- discipline
which an animal does not have.
WHAT IS DISCIPLINE ?
 Discipline from the Latin word
disciplina, means “ instructions” or
“ teachings” that’s why it often
refers to one’s training to abide and
live by the social norms and right
conduct, moral principles and
regulations in order to have an orderly
,peaceful, and just human relations
for the benefit of everybody.
 Central to the concept of
discipline is the knowledge and
training about intellectual,
moral and physical capability
which one can attain through
instruction and by examples.
 Thus, without discipline, no human society can
survive. The people’s lack of discipline will
ruin and destroy a nation. There is wisdom in
saying “ Sa ikauunlad ng bayan,disiplina
ang kailangan”( For the nation’s
progress, discipline is necessary). For
without discipline the people will go on
their own ways according to their own
whims and caprices, at the expense of
the general welfare, the common good,
and national survival.
 For Filipinos, a person who lacks self-
discipline is like a piece of iron that is
eaten up by its own rust. The rust being
referred to derives from the metal itself.The
same is true with an individual, that which
destroys him also comes from within himself.
 Another Filipino metaphor on self-discipline
goes thus: “ Ang taong walang sariling
disiplina ay siya na rin ang gumigisa sa
kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng sarili
niyang mantika.
 The most difficult individual to discipline is
oneself, but once a person learns to
discipline himself , then he can discipline all
that are supposed to be disciplined .
Accordingly, a person who can control
himself can control all that are supposed
to be controlled; and one who can
conquer himself can conquer all that are
supposed to be conquered. Ang taong
makasusupil sa kanyang sarili ay kaya
niyang supiin ang lahat na dapat supiin.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
- Means pananagutang pangmagulang in
Filipino: pananagutan,” responsibility”
and magulang,”parent”.The root word of
pananagutan is the noun sagot, “answer”
or “ response”; the verb sagutin means “ to
answer “ or respond”, and the adjective
managot, “ to be accountable or
answerable for”.Thus, parental
responsibility”, means that parents are
morally held “ accountable and
answerable for” their own children.
 Parental responsibility is invaluable in Filipino
culture .This consists in the proper upbringing,
nurturing,rearing up, training, and disciplining of
one’s own children in order for them to grow with
sufficient knowledge about life, good manners
and right conduct and self- discipline. Parental
responsibility rests on both the father and the
mother. Whatever is good for the whole family is
their great , non-transferable responsibility .
Should the children become wayward and
delinquent, the parents are usually blamed and
faulted . This underscores the paramount value
of parenthood.
 Very common among the Tagalogs is the
preaching” Ang kahoy na liko’t
baluktot/Hutukin mo hanggang
malambot /Kung malaki na’t
tumayog/ Mahirap na ang
paghutok” A curved and crooked
tree should be straightened while
it’s still soft; once it grows big and
tall,it will be difficult to strecth
it .
 Furthermore, parental responsibility
takes cognizance of the negative effects
of excesses and extremes in upbringing
children. For instance, from the
Boholano experience, “ Cong ang imong
bata hilabihan ra sa pagpangga, sa
ulahing adlaw moagas ang imong
luha.” ( If you give everything that
your child wants without restraint,
someday you will shed tears).

“ Laki sa Layaw” is a Filipino
idiom for a spoiled brat, that is, one
that was brought up or nurtured in
extravagance.
 In this regard, “ Ang anak na
pinaluluha, kayamanan sa
pagtanda”. A child that is
allowed to cry shall become one’s
treasure in old age.
REFLECTION
 Parental responsibility refers to the parents’
accountability for the proper upbringing, rearing up,
nurturing , training , discipline, and education of
their children . This is the most important type of
responsibility in human society, for without this
responsibility, the family, which is regarded as the
smallest social unit, cannot long endure .If parental
responsibility fails, the family also fails, insofar as
the family depends upon parental responsibility;
and if the family breaks down, then society
collapses ,for society can only survive when families
remain strong and intact. This is so precisely
because the family is the bedrock of the society.
 Thank you for
listening……