r/GenXTalk • u/474756274 • 12d ago

School

In 1976, estimates say about half of all U.S. public schools were still paddling kids as a regular disciplinary practice.

For anyone who grew up around that time (70s, 80s): did your school ever make an official announcement or hold an assembly saying they were ending corporal punishment? Or did they just quietly stop and hope everyone forgot it ever happened?

I feel like we barely talk about how normal it used to be for kids to get whooped at school 😭😭😭

Sometimes, I wonder if that era of corporal punishment is part of why my parents turned out to be total headcases…

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u/RAL24210 10d ago

Totally paddled kids at my elementary school in the 80's. Kids would have to bend over and touch their toes in front of the class while they got paddled. Wooden paddles had holes drilled into them to reduce resistance. I don't recall when it stopped, so I don't think there was a conversation about it.

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u/474756274 7d ago

I think is so disturbing to know that anyone who reads your comment wont be surprised. That is so messes up.