Punishment is a negative and is not intended to be submissively fulfilling. It is intended to punish wrong doings in a manner so that the wrong doings do not happen again. A punishment is also an act of love but its purpose is to rebuke and reprimand. The terms discipline and punishment are easily intermingled and sometimes people refer to a punishment as discipline and vice versa. However, the terminology is not as important as the purpose of the correction. If it is to train, guide and alter a male's behavior and attitude, then it is Discipline. If it is to reprove, penalize and chastise a male for disobedience, then it is Punishment.

The need for discipline is a part of the human condition. As a society, we have allowed fear to rob us of this important tool of life and thus the desire for discipline is becoming stronger within the male gender.

Unfortunately, some people abuse the weaker among us. Society has been horrified at the abuse of children at the hands of adults. Therefore, society has been placed in fear and thus has overreacted to that fear.

Instead of making the obvious distinction between loving discipline to correct a child’s behavior and the criminal act of physically abusing a child, most psychologists and sociologists have instead come out against all forms of physical discipline in order to protect those that cannot protect themselves. While that goal is admirable and understandable, the result is that society has thrown the baby out with the bath water. While children are better protected from the potential of abuse, they also grow up lacking the love and security that comes through normal and healthy discipline. Thus, we end up with a generation of rebellious and undisciplined adults who experience much restlessness within themselves. The world of D&S can be very appealing to those adults who want to experience some physical discipline in their lives.

The need for discipline in human beings is expressed across all forms of society. Some men join the military to get discipline and structure in their lives. The military is all about discipline and submission to authority and such a life is appealing to a certain portion of the male population. In most religions the command to be in submission to spiritual authority and to live a disciplined life are the cornerstones of these Faiths. Religion has recognized the importance of discipline and submission on the human condition. While some religions and denominations within certain religions have abused power and used their man made doctrines to control people and to rule over their lives, the majority of people still seek out faiths that require them to live a disciplined life.