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I Think The Cane Should Be Bought Back Into The School System

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. This is from a recent biography of Clement Attlee, British Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951:

"Attlee joined his fellow schoolboys in a protest against the headmaster for his failure to grant a public holiday in celebration of the victory [at Ladysmith, in the Boer War]. They marched down to the neighbouring market town of Hertford and "indulged in a patriotic celebration". Clement was one of the SEVENTY-TWO [my emphasis] caned that evening."

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JoanieNewHampshire · T

I would seriously condemn a public school system that incorporated corporal punishments. Disciplinary actions are the soul responsibility of the parent! A school has no right to physically harming a child. And for that matter neither does a parent. Most actions of this kind are often actions typically where personality issues between the child and the school or parented exist.. As well as a lack of respect or learned appropriate behavior combined. Which is typically the result of a lack of repercussions for inappropriate behavior from the parent or the school. In other words spare the rod spoil the child means simply that the parent or school are to lazy to teach appropriate behavior at appropriate times in that child's life.

MartinII · 70-79, M

I don't think anyone would suggest that schools should use CAPITAL punishment - I hope not anyway!

UDontKnowMe · 80-89, M

Capitol (sic) punishments are those that involve the death penalty.

JoanieNewHampshire · T

I'm sorry, I meant corporal punishment. It doesn't change my point!

MartinII · 70-79, M

@JoanieNewHampshire: Yes, I know. Cheap joke on my part.

JoanieNewHampshire · T

@MartinII: I was in error. Typing to fast with lots of thoughts. My error, I changed the word. Still doesn't change my perspective. Any physical punishment perpetrated on any human being is archaic at best and physically abusive at worst.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@JoanieNewHampshire: Yes, I'm sorry I made fun of what was obviously a typo. I posted the story just because I thought it was a bizarre story, not to make a point - and of course it happened over a hundred years ago, when corporal punishment was more or less universally accepted. Happy to debate the underlying issue privately with you some time, if you would like to.

JoanieNewHampshire · T

I appreciate that Martin. I sometimes I don't see things that are meant as jokes correctlyand in the right mind set. Looking back, It was kind of funny. But my point still remains. As far as I'm concerned to raise a hand to a child is abuse. It is reflective of the hurt and anger the parent feels because of the frustration of not being able to find correct and alternative lessons (notice I didn't say punishment). We are supposed to teach our children, not hurt them physically or emotionally. There is no debating with me about this subject. I was spanked and strapped as a child and for no good reason. Because there is no good reason to raise a hand arm foot or object to an innocent child.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@JoanieNewHampshire: I respect your opinion, and I'm sorry to hear about your own experiences. Mine were different. I didn't have a punitive upbringing, but the occasional punishments I resented were non-physical ones - detentions at school, being sent to my room at home. Spankings were fine. But I hasten to add, they were rare and mild by comparison with many people's.