A dictionary defintion of a punishment is the act of implimenting an undesirable or unpleasant outcome upon a group or individual, delt out by an authority as a response and deterrent to a particular action or behaviour that is deemed undesirable or unacceptable. Punishment is a means of modifying behavior. It is often a training measure. A punishment can include anything from a fine to a penalty or be the removal or denial of something pleasant or desirable. As a general rule of thumb punishments are applied for various purposee, but most often to encourage and enforce proper behavior as defined by the authority figure.
Punishments should only come after the breaking of a rule that has been clearly spelled out. It isn’t fair to punish for something not expected and doing so will create confusion, mistrust and fear, basically the opposite of what you are hoping to accomplish. When talking of severity it is often mentioned the degree of punishment to be meted out should match the crime.Some punishments can includes taks or work in order to reform the culprit so that they will not commit the offence again.
	When speaking of the context of a dominate and submissive relationship. Punishment is used to correct lapses of disiplin, with the goal to teach, guide, and mold the submissive how to serve better while also enhancing the sub as a person. The goal of discipline and punishments are to eventually invoke a sense of self-discipline. Submissives shouldn't need to be baby-sat at all times. But gradually, that molding of the behavior, way of living, thinking and believing becomes self-discipline. The submissive’s Master or Mistress’s wants, desires, and needs become that of the submissives too.

	Punishment to me is the act of providing incentive either positive or negative in order to teach a person to act in a certain way according to the rules in a relationship. When I do things incorrectly or break rules punishments are ways to help me stay on the right path and do things correctly in the future. I believe punishments should fit the crime and in some way deal with the action that was the problem to begin with in order to assist in correcting the problem. Punishments can come in many forms but they should assist in teaching a lesson. I like to learn from my punishments in order to grow as a person, looking back on my errors and figuring out ways to fix or improve them.

	Ma'am please accept my sincere apology on behalf of our, and my, failure. I apologize deeply for not giving you an fitting answer. We as a group should have had a better handle on your questions and been able to provide a adequate answer for you Ma'am. I understand your frustration at having us fail to understand what you wanted us to. We let you down in that regard and for that I feel very sorry. I take full responsibility for the situation and understand that though this learning exercise I have learnd alot more about punishments and the relationship between a dom and a sub. Clearly my knowledge beforehand was very inadequate. I believe we got caught up talking with each other about other less import things and in the end strayed away from the question, in this regard I have realised our error and tried to get the rest of the group back on track. I will try with the utmost will to endeveor that such an action never happens again, I do not wish to disapoint you as I have done today. Thank you for instialling this knowlege in us so as we can better serve in the future.