I Got The Cane At School

Yesterday many schoolchildren in the UK went “on strike” in order to protest about lack of action against climate change. There were interesting mixed reactions. The Prime Minister criticised the children. Some other politicians congratulated them. Some schools enouraged them, and some teachers went too. Other schools said the children would be punished on Monday. Three children were arrested for obstructing the traffic.

In the unlikely event that this had happened in my schooldays in the 1960s, there would have been mass canings. Nowadays the favoured punishment is apparently “internal exclusion”, which sounds rather Orwellian. Not entirely clear why this is preferable to, or less cruel than, corporal punishment.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

lancashirelady50 · 70-79, F

My one attempt at truancy was dealt with at home in a very old fashioned manner! Yet the rebellion of youth and challenging authority is a necessary process of growing up.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@lancashirelady50 On the subject or rebellion, I was once required to write an essay as punishment for messing about in a Latin lesson. The essay I submitted (late) might have been described as rebellious - the headmaster was a fascist, caning was torture, that sort of thing. Amazingly, I heard no more about it.

lancashirelady50 · 70-79, F

Perhaps the logical nature of your summary made him think twice? The Headmasters/Headmistressed in those days- like today, never had time to read detention essays anyway?! Lol@MartinII

MartinII · 70-79, M

@lancashirelady50 Yes, both those explanations are possible. Of course, it would have been easier all round if I had just been slippered in the first place.

lancashirelady50 · 70-79, F

Which is no doubt the easiest option! (The hours and hours I have spent using tbe “no blame approach” to conflict resolution in schools until I retired!!)
Josie