In an era of growing harshness toward youthful offenders, it is important to be aware that much chronic violence has roots in parental malpractice. Parents, teachers and JPOs are the three major players in preventing delinquency and further progression into the justice system. The article focuses on seven criteria for the constructive use of discipline or sanctions by each participant: uniformity, consistency, celerity, certainty, correspondence, visibility and propriety. In addition, the article describes and gives illustrations of nine functions of the concept of punishment or discipline: revenge, expiation, obedience, deterrence/prevention, isolation, stigmatization, reformation, repair, and boundary maintenance. Tables included in the article are intended as handouts for distribution at panels, workshops, seminars, school visits, and parent conferences. Tables, references, notes