I Used to Get the Cane At School

When I was growing up, the cane was used anywhere, not just at school and in the home... places like the cubs and scouts, the choirmaster at church and the Sunday school teacher, among others. This was the natural order and had the benefit of consistent expectations and consequences everywhere. At that time, parental assent was assumed unless they opted out, but that made life worse not better for their offspring because it created confusion and put them on the receiving end of teasing, being accused of being "mummy's little boy" or a softie or whatever. Some, for that reason, opted to be caned like their friends. This will seem odd or alien to this generation, but this was a very different age, when there were rules and consequences. If punished at school or elsewhere, parents generally supported the action taken.... certainly no forays to the European Court of Justice...

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oneofnine · 70-79, M

The cane and slipper were an ever present threat at home and school. Not a cubs, Scouts or church though. But a word from any adult in the parental ear resulted in a well whacked bum.

skimpyboy · 56-60, M

Very true I remember some parents having canes and they would use them when needed

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westfield · 70-79, M

@NortiusMaximus up to what age? For us it was as long as we lived at home

NortiusMaximus · M

@westfield Same here, early to mid twenties for my sisters and me.

westfield · 70-79, M

@NortiusMaximus My sisters were married off young, so only up to late/mid teens for them at home, but 23 for me

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

I enjoy caning stories, I grew up in the USA and we got the paddle often, it hurts but that cane sounds worse to me, I never experienced it. I got various paddles at school and at home it was usually a belt. Hurts to get the paddle at school, come home with a sore butt and immediately get the belt across butt and legs.

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westfield · 70-79, M

@BackyardShaman And was the paddle also given again for repeated misdemeanours even while that 'damage' was still there, say the next day?

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Yes sometimes! That was awful, they always had you pull your pants down and let them see how it was, usually they would go ahead and paddle again but once mine was so bad from this rough coach they decided to wait 3 days, I was still sore after 3 days and they tore it up again! @westfield

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@BackyardShaman What you are describing there may have been common, but in no way could it be called "punishment". That sort of behaviour was mere barbarity by cruel thugs who enjoyed viciously beating children whose existence they must have resented so much.

westfield · 70-79, M

Yes, and a school beating was generally repeated at home if they heard about it, or rather when!

Carma500 · 56-60, M

had regular canings throughout my school life - probably did me good

westfield · 70-79, M

@Carma500 regular as in... weekly? monthly? each term? and at home as well?

CoffeeFirst · 56-60, F

Nothing like a good caning/spanking story on a Sunday. * sigh *

westfield · 70-79, M

@CoffeeFirst Do share then!!!

CoffeeFirst · 56-60, F

@westfield Sorry, I should have added an emoticon for clarity. 🙄

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westfield · 70-79, M

@fairefoutre Valid challenge and no, it was not as 'promiscuous' as my wording may have implied. I should have said it could or might be used anywhere in theory, rather than being sanitised into, say, the Head's study. It doesn't mean that life was a constant whirr of thrashing canes, if for no other reason it wouldn't have had any effect or served as a deterrent. What I was trying to say was that, when earned, being caned or otherwise chastised was the normal default remedy

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westfield · 70-79, M

@fairefoutre I always thought tawse on hands was barbaric, especially if given immediately before, say, art or music or writing, with subsequent punishment for poor performance. The hands are delicate instruments, whereas the bottom....

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