Indyvidual,

American educational psychologist and teacher
Haim G. Ginott wrote in one of his books about a letter
that teachers would receive from their principal each
year. To paraphrase the letter:

"I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw
what no person should witness. Gas chambers built by
learned engineers. Children poisoned by educated
physicians. Infants killed by trained nurses. Women
and children shot by high school and college graduates.
So I am suspicious of education."

"My request is this: help your children become human.
Your efforts must never produce learned monsters,
skilled psychopaths, or educated Eichmanns.
Reading, writing and arithmetic are important as is
discipline but only if they serve to make our children
more human."

Have a nice day.

did you learn anything you didn’t already know?
diver dan,
Well, learn is not the correct word. I'd say the evidence confirms the thinking of my mentality !

Individual

It’s no laughing matter, I live in a well behaved wealthy community which is extraordinarily low on youth crime. Just recently an acquaintance had the gearbox stolen from his car overnight while it was parked in the driveway; that’d be a first.

Move to a quieter community with less youth crime is the answer. Gated communities are growing like mushrooms around me, in spite of low crime locally. There’s a community sense that things are about to worsen, I’m a believer in that thinking.
Can’t be too careful.

Indy and others,

What's your opinion on corporal punishment in schools. Up until the 1970's and later, punishment using canes and straps etc, was very much the norm in many schools, particularly private schools, certainly a much used form of punishment in Catholic Paedophile Schools, which are still open for business today.

Paul1405,
First of all, I'm against "punishment" when only mere discipline is required. A light clip behind the the ear like Gibbs does to Di Nozo in NCIS is a warning to settle down & behave. if started at an early age this is sufficient. When a young child misbehaves & does not respond to warning words & a clip, then a slap (not bashing as some like to say) on the backside is warranted. That should be standard discipline by parents AND early childhood teachers or even baby sitters. I copped severe beltings & kickings & now I'm actually appreciative of that although it shouldn't have to get that harsh.
Punishment is another level altogether & should only happen for 7 - 12 year olds. The traditional ruler across the backside or the hands should be the limit. Of course we don't want excessive force that leaves more than red marks.
Such discipline prevents the out of hand behaviour by young school kids we hear of in schools far too frequently. Teachers should not have to fear parents outrage for discipling kids whose parents are unfit & failing to instil discipline in their kids.
Another issue is the praising of non achievers ! This too is responsible for many off the rail youngsters. Good kids have nothing to fear from good teachers & parents. If kids aren't made aware of doing wrong then they will get worse by the day. Evidence for that is all around us !

No takers ?