I used the cane and I now wonder if I was right to do so.

I was a teacher from the late 1960s until the late 1980s - a fairly short career as these things go although I was quite successful - spent my last few years as a Head Teacher.

Part of my job was to use corporal punishment. I believed then that I was doing this in the best interests of the children I taught and I'd like to continue to believe that. But I find myself in a world now where we're constantly being told this was bad for children and that worries me immensely. I just can't reconcile it with what I saw as a teacher. I saw it work. I saw it turn children around. I saw it help children. I really do think that's true. But I take psychological and pedagogical research seriously and I can't reconcile it with what I saw myself.

I am honestly horrified at the idea I might have harmed these children.

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Tastyfrzz · 61-69, M

So, what are you going to do to make amends to those "kids"?

Contrition to us isn't going to keep you out of a living hell. You need to find them all and apologize. Chances are you won't get a lot of thanks.

patioratio · 70-79, M

@Tastyfrzz This is part of the reason I have doubts.

Because I have received a lot of thanks. Many of the children I taught have thanked me as an adult for what I did for them. Including caning them. Some have specifically sought me out to do so, others, it has come up when I've encountered them in later life.

Not one of them has ever told me I did them any harm by caning them. Not one. That doesn't mean there aren't some of them out there who feel that way, of course - I haven't had contact with every single person I ever taught, and some of those I have might not have chosen to bring up such feelings for all I know.

But my experience really does support the opposite conclusion.