Parents back teachers’ use of the cane
Some British parents
believed corporal punishment was an “effective method of control” when they
were at school and there had been a decline in discipline since the cane was
banned.
Corporal punishment, including
the use of the cane, slipper and ruler, was abolished in state schools in 1987
and 1998 in the fee-paying sector.
The Daily
Telegraph, a
right-leaning traditionalist newspaper, reported in 2009, “Margaret Morrissey,
from the campaign group Parents Outloud, said: ‘When it was used as a threat,
rather than being used to actually hit a child, corporal punishment was often an
effective deterrent. It was certainly abused in some schools and it could
become something of a badge of honour for those that were hit, but the threat
could be effective.
“‘I am just not convinced
that in the present climate there is a possibility it can come back. Can you
imagine the number of compensation claims it would lead to?
“‘I really do believe that
the problem for the deteriorating behaviour is the political correctness of the
last 10 years that has told children to stand up and complain the moment
someone tries to tell them off.’”
In the study, parents also
blamed the fact that “children and young people [were] becoming more vocal and
demanding and at the same time less afraid of authority”.
The UK Department for
Children, Schools and Families report came months after a fifth in a survey of
6,000 teachers called for the cane to be reintroduced to restore order in the
classroom.
The Telegraph
reported one supply teacher told researchers: “Children’s behaviour is now
absolutely outrageous in the majority of schools. I am a supply teacher, so I
see very many schools and there are no sanctions. There are too many anger
management people and their ilk who give children the idea that it is their
right to flounce out of lessons for time out because they have problems with
their temper. They should be caned instead.”
But John Dunford, of the
Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Thankfully, corporal
punishment is no longer on the agenda, except in the most uncivilised
countries. I am sure that this barbaric punishment has disappeared forever.”
Picture credit:
Traditionalschooldiscipline@gmail.com
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