Corporal Punishment

[Glassman]

I grew up in a time where schoolteachers could - and would - give you a whack with a ruler if you stepped out of line. For girls it was usually the slipper and boys copped the cane for more serious offences. I was on the receiving end of a lashing once during junior school which was after I was 'grassed up' by a kid I beat in a fight. It was generally accepted that you were called into the office if you had done something bad enough to warrant it. Incidentally, I also incurred the wrath of my dad too for getting the cane which, looking back, taught me to operate wisely. My dad never beat me but I always knew where the line was an stayed well behind it. A fight was a fisticuff, and men would settle matters with a straightener if it was warranted. I watched my old man roll his sleeves up a few times which was usually to defend his family's honour or because someone had parked across his driveway.

Elsewhere, we always heard one or two of the older boys who ended up in Borstal, the last bastion of correctional facilities in this country. During my teens, the lads that I met who'd been to Borstal or DC generally were a bit more disciplined, and as hard as doornails too. The police were still clipping miscreants around the ear 'ole and plod carried batons. I'm loosely generalising because I grew up between the last generation of corporal punishment and the first of after it was abolished.

This isn't one of those 'it didn't do me any harm' claims, but I can see how the fear of a spanking kept a lot of us in check. I got thinking about the here and now after some comments in another thread about the alleged misuse of a taser by a policeman, and the potential compo claim by the 'victim' of it. I'm not calling for the return of corporal punishment, but without such firm deterrents, has it made us a bit soft?

[languagetimothy]

"has it made us a bit soft". ? nope. its made people less aware of consequences and taking of responsibility for their actions.

if there are no consequences inflicted from those in authority, police, judge, teacher and particularly parents then why would you not just do as you wish. your moral compass is already broken from your upbringing.

at my school (finished late 70s) there was the cane, slipper and the occasional pretty accurate blackboard rubber to worry about. my parents would also give me a slapped arse if I was playing up. and yes, it never did me any harm because they were right and loving parents pointing me in the right direction. they wouldn't be able to do that now. but consequences? "no im taking your phone away for two days Because..." "no, you can't watched your favourite TV programme because...." "no, your getting only half your pocket money this week because....." "when i ask you to do something it is NOT a request its an instruction". what do parents do these days or are THEY too soft?

[Chris Peacock]

Glassman said:

has it made us a bit soft?

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

Its no longer acceptable or legal to use violence towards children. That will always be a positive move.

[bad company]

Chris Peacock said:

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

Its no longer acceptable or legal to use violence towards children. That will always be a positive move.

I agree. Also there’s no doubt in my mind that 1 or 2 of the teachers got off on it which is repugnant.

[Stuart70]

Chris Peacock said:

Glassman said:

has it made us a bit soft?

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

Its no longer acceptable or legal to use violence towards children. That will always be a positive move.

Agreed. The threat (or application) of violence to control is always the weak option. Caring and reasoned treatment with a sense of responsibility is the better path.

In the end violence begets violence and a sense of win:lose - neither of which helps much in the long run.

[Muzzer79]

Glassman said:

has it made us a bit soft?

The prohibition of violence towards children is not something to be regretful of.

Living in fear of a beating is not a very good motivation tactic for well adjusted people.

[grumbledoak]

Glassman said:

...

has it made us a bit soft?

Not sure of the definition of "soft" in this case.

Beating children into obedience never was the right answer. It didn't prevent delinquency and it has life-long consequences for them. A smacked bottom at most, and not often.

I am probably less against corporal punishment of adults. It's quick and cheap to do and most people wouldn't want another go, unlike prison.

[119]

Chris Peacock said:

Glassman said:

has it made us a bit soft?

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

And look how well that has worked out.

[Countdown]

119 said:

And look how well that has worked out.

Are you incapable of raising your own kids without threatening them with a beating?

[Countdown]

Muzzer79 said:

Living in fear of a beating is not a very good motivation tactic for well adjusted people.

Reading the comments from some on PH, especially in NP&E, I don't think they're particularly well-adjusted. I do sometimes wonder what kind of upbringing they had.

[Leithen]

Always thought it terribly unfair that the Corporals always get the punishment. What about the Sergeants, the Lieutenants, the Captains, the Majors?

General punishment might get a bit misunderstood I grant you, as would Private.

[bitchstewie]

Pretty sure there's a fair bit of disciplinary middle ground between "not beating the st out of kids" and "beating the st out of kids".

I'd also say looking at some of the maladjusted people on here that "it never did me any harm" is up for debate.

[119]

Countdown said:

119 said:

And look how well that has worked out.

Are you incapable of raising your own kids without threatening them with a beating?

Because thats exactly what i said.

[Countdown]

119 said:

Countdown said:

119 said:

And look how well that has worked out.

Are you incapable of raising your own kids without threatening them with a beating?

Because thats exactly what i said.

It was a fairly simple question but well done on completely avoiding it.

[Spare tyre]

bad company said:

Chris Peacock said:

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

Its no longer acceptable or legal to use violence towards children. That will always be a positive move.

I agree. Also there’s no doubt in my mind that 1 or 2 of the teachers got off on it which is repugnant.

Old chap next to me in his 80s/90s tells me some horrific things about a teacher at his school

He says you could see his “excitement”

[119]

Countdown said:

119 said:

Countdown said:

119 said:

And look how well that has worked out.

Are you incapable of raising your own kids without threatening them with a beating?

Because thats exactly what i said.

It was a fairly simple question but well done on completely avoiding it.

And well done for failing to comprehend the post.

[Dingu]

119 said:

Countdown said:

119 said:

Countdown said:

119 said:

And look how well that has worked out.

Are you incapable of raising your own kids without threatening them with a beating?

Because thats exactly what i said.

It was a fairly simple question but well done on completely avoiding it.

And well done for failing to comprehend the post.

Your original post was toilet paper anyway. Let’s not pretend it was comprehensive insight.

[bigpriest]

Glassman said:

...has it made us a bit soft?

The other consequence of teachers demanding respect through violence, rather than earning respect from being basic human beings, is that some pupils will take the violence but when they are big enough will retaliate. I remember hitting out at one teacher who grabbed me by the hair for no reason (they probably lost at darts in the staff room).

I also remember a few occasions where someone who had left school returned and beat up the teacher who had dished it out to them. Fair enough if you can take it as well but they called the police. All of this is just a massive headache for anyone in a relationship with, or working with these people in later life unless they sort out their anger and resentment. Oh, and the slipper on the arse, obey me, I'm in charge, sounds a bit Peter Phile.

[98elise]

Chris Peacock said:

Glassman said:

has it made us a bit soft?

No. It's forced people to put a bit of actual effort into raising and teaching children.

Its no longer acceptable or legal to use violence towards children. That will always be a positive move.

Agreed. We don't dish out violence to adults doing wrong so we shouldn't to children.

I used to agree with being able to smack a child, until I had kids. When a light smack doesn't work what do you do, hit them harder? You can easily punish without being violent.

[valiant]

I’m not sure the threat or actual application of violence is necessarily the best way to raise or educate your kids…