There are few issues parents feel more strongly about than those regarding the discipline and punishment of their children. Although people may use those terms interchangeably, they mean quite different things. Discipline is the process of teaching a child the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Good discipline should be a positive force focusing on what a child is allowed to do. The goal of discipline is to help a child change impulsive, random behavior into controlled, purposeful behavior, and discipline should be reinforced with teaching, firmness, and reminders.
Punishment is one technique of discipline.
The goal of punishment is to inhibit unacceptable behavior. Children need to be accountable for their own behavior in order to learn the inner control necessary to function as healthy, self-disciplined individuals. The theory is that punishment will eliminate misbehavior. Although punishment may stop the behavior at the moment in time it's administered, punishment alone does not eliminate misbehavior over time. The suppressive effect of punishment is of value only if acceptable alternative actions are taught while the undesirable behavior is held in check.