Here are some specific examples of school punishments from 50 years ago:
- Spanking: This was often the most common form of corporal punishment, and it could be administered by teachers, principals, or even parents. Spanking was typically done with a paddle or a ruler, and it could range in severity from a light tap to a hard smack.
- Paddling: This was another common form of corporal punishment, and it was typically done with a wooden paddle. Paddling was often more severe than spanking, and it could leave welts or bruises on the student's skin.
- Caning: This was a less common form of corporal punishment, but it was still used in some schools. Caning was done with a thin cane, and it could cause serious injuries.
- Suspension: Students could be suspended from school for a variety of reasons, including fighting, disruption, or disobedience. Suspensions typically lasted for a few days or weeks, but they could also be longer.
- Expulsion: Students could be expelled from school for serious misconduct, such as violence, theft, or drug use. Expulsions were permanent, and they meant that the student could not return to the school.
Today, corporal punishment is rare in schools. Most schools have policies that prohibit the use of physical force to discipline students. Instead, schools typically use other forms of discipline, such as detention, suspension, or expulsion.