Are guidelines rules or goals?

**imagine** · 07-21-2010, 05:50 PM

In a discussion I was having on line the word guidelines was brought up, such as family guidelines.

From that time I was wonder what was generally considered the definition of guidelines are they more rules or goals?

I can't find the answer to this question while surfing the net.

What is your opinion

Are they Rules or Goals?

**Inkstain82** · 07-21-2010, 05:55 PM

Guidelines are rules. They set the parameters that must be followed to reach a goal.

**Momto5RN** · 07-21-2010, 08:35 PM

has always meant rules to me .

**KeithBC** · 07-21-2010, 08:38 PM

Fire departments have "Standard Operating Guidelines" nowadays instead of "Standard Operating Procedures" because a guideline is not a rule. It is an almost-rule with some exceptions allowed when justifiable.

**imagine** · 07-22-2010, 09:10 AM

Thanks for taking time to answer.

I've been thinking lately about the difference between dictionary definitions and working/day to day definitions.

So it is nice to hear the difference sand similarities in the definitions already posted. It will be interesting to see if more people post their ideas on what guidelines are and see what the differences and similarities are.

**2ndGenGranola** · 07-22-2010, 09:29 AM

Rules usually have consequences for when broken. Guidelines may not. I see them as very similar with the rules holding more weight.

**mek42** · 07-22-2010, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by KeithBC

Fire departments have "Standard Operating Guidelines" nowadays instead of "Standard Operating Procedures" because a guideline is not a rule. It is an almost-rule with some exceptions allowed when justifiable.

In practice, different levels of judgement are needed to deviate from a guideline than a rule. In industry, an operator may be able to deviate from a guideline, but a rule deviation may require supervisor approval. In a family environment, exercise of poor judgement by a child to deviate from a guideline warrants an educational discussion without any sanctions, while sanctions may be warranted if it was a rule that was violated.

Note that a rule deviation does not always require sanctions - for example, in bed between such and such hours is a rule, but obviously it is expected that the rule be deviated from in case of fire. There may well be other extraordinary circumstances that occur where advance training has not been provided. In these cases, when the child deviates from a rule due to uncertainty / incorrect judgement (ultimately due to improper / insufficient training), an educational discussion of expectations without sanctions is warranted.

If I needed to explain the difference between a rule and a guideline to a child, I think I would say that if the child cannot thoroughly explain why they violated the rule (being firm that "I didn't feel like it," is not a good reason) there will be parental consequences. On the other hand, there may be more possible reasons to not follow a guideline, so when you don't know whether or not to follow a guideline, honestly do what you (the child) think is best and then discuss with us (parents) and we can figure out whether there was a better choice or not that could have been made for future reference.

Once again, I have no experience raising children and my rearing was less than optimal, so much of this is coming from how I would have liked to have been raised and some really good boss relationships.