Disobedience means refusing to follow rules, orders, or instructions from someone in authority. When a student practices disobedience by ignoring their teacher's directions, or when a child deliberately does the opposite of what their parent asked, they're choosing not to obey.

Disobedience can be small and momentary, like when you're told to clean your room but decide to read a book instead. It can also be serious and intentional, like when someone breaks an important law.

Not all disobedience is the same. Sometimes people disobey rules they believe are wrong or unjust, which can lead to important changes. During the American Revolution, colonists practiced disobedience against British laws they considered unfair. Rosa Parks's disobedience of an unjust segregation law in 1955 helped spark the Civil Rights Movement. History calls this civil disobedience: peacefully breaking a law to show it needs to change, while accepting the consequences.

But everyday disobedience usually just means someone isn't following reasonable rules. A disobedient dog doesn't come when called. A disobedient student disrupts class instead of listening. When you're disobedient, you're making a choice, and choices have consequences.