80.Rules and punishment

Q.1 What can teachers do to make students obey rules?

Ans-Well, there is one thing teachers can do to encourage their students to follow rules. And it's something that at first glance seems obvious, but many teachers fail to do. What I mean is teachers can explain to their students WHY their rules exist. Dr. Robert Cialdini, an expert in the field of influence and persuasion, describes a well-known experiment that demonstrates that when we ask someone to do or not to do something, the response is more favorable when we give them a reason. So simply adding the word 'because' makes people more likely to do what someone wants them to do. Moreover, teachers can explain how their rules are in place to their students' benefit, especially if teachers say that their priority is to protect their students' right to learn and enjoy school. I think it can transform students' attitude toward the boundaries a teacher establishes for their class. What teachers should definitely not do is use the 'it's either my way or the highway' strategy. Such an authoritarian approach to establishing school rules may cause dislike, rebelliousness, and a desire to misbehave behind a teacher's back. Another thing teachers can do is allow students to participate in developing the classroom rules or behavior guidelines. Giving students a say will allow them to feel valued. As students contribute to the classroom expectations, they are more likely to follow them. And, of course, teachers can create compelling lessons 'cause when students enjoy a class, they're naturally inclined to follow rules.

Q.2 What are some rules that exist in schools or workplaces in your country?

Ans-Well, there are quite a lot of them, actually, and they usually differ from school to school and from company to company. The most common school rules that exist in my country are connected with getting to school on time, being respectful to school property, teachers and other students, and keeping the school environment and the local community free from litter. As far as workplace rules are concerned, they are mostly about being punctual, trustworthy, flexible and open-minded, keeping the desk organized instead of spreading out into space that isn't yours, keeping the noise level to a minimum especially in open-plan offices, and being considerate with files and equipment you share.

Q.3 What should parents do to educate children about laws?

Ans-In my opinion, the best thing parents can do is have conversations with their kids about laws. Of course, parents may not know how to approach the topic in an age-appropriate way. But they can possibly start by explaining the basic principles of laws. And if a child shows interest in this topic, parents can go on explaining the meaning and purpose of different laws. Even in the preschool years children have a very strong sense of what is fair and unfair. So, to my mind, parents can start educating their kids about laws while their kids are still young. Also, parents should try to persuade their kids to watch the news together 'cause news reports often provide information concerning national or regional legislation. But, to be honest, I doubt it would work 'cause I have never seen kids who enjoy watching the news.

Q.4 When people break rules, how are they punished in your country?

Ans-In my country, it really depends on what rule people break. For small stuff or first-time violations, authorities might just give a warning instead of a punishment. This gives people a chance to fix their behavior without facing serious consequences. And I think it's fair. When people break rules like speeding, littering, or not paying for public transport, they are usually fined. Fines are high enough to make people think twice about breaking the rules. And if someone does get fined, they remember it for a long time and do their best to avoid it in the future. In some cases, people who break certain rules, especially those related to public safety or the environment, might be required to do community service, like cleaning parks or helping with local events. But this type of punishment is not very common where I live. Sometimes people might have their privileges suspended, such as their driver's license or access to certain services. In extreme cases, when the offense is very serious, such as theft or violence, people might face jail time or detention.