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.

purplepen · 51-55, F

Thank you for sharing. I am glad you are concerned although conflicted. My parents both used corporal punishment, both overdid it, but my mom overdid it worst.

My dad also cared about his children and taught us a lot of good things. I was traumatized by being over-punished, but I also appreciated the things he taught me. Sometimes one of the teaching methods is abusive, but that doesn't nullify whatever good they did otherwise.