The 'middle ground' always seems to be missing.

I recall making wooden paddles as class project in shop class. Your initials displayed as 'graphic design' on the paddle, as was the practice in fraternities using their symbolic letters.

When a male problem child 'needed whacks'....these paddles were given to a specially requested teacher, often a coach, who had the motivation and paid attention to detail in technique of the swing, which included a nice angling of the paddle to give a double 'clip' to the whack. Facing the perp towards the wall and hitting them so hard as to make their head hit the wall was considered proof of expertise. Making a man/boy tear up or cry was a special prize.

Meanwhile Dr. Spock said 'Don't spank'.

The ol Hegelian Dialectic of extreme dichotomies with very little middle ground.

What could go wrong?

Correction comes in all forms and the correct form applied at the right time prevents need for violent action/reaction.

this is done (or not) at home.

If not, and left to outside enforcers, they'll find a need for their existence.

The 'middle ground' always seems to be missing.

I recall making wooden paddles as class project in shop class. Your initials displayed as 'graphic design' on the paddle, as was the practice in fraternities using their symbolic letters.

When a male problem child 'needed whacks'....these paddles were given to a specially requested teacher, often a coach, who had the motivation and paid attention to detail in technique of the swing, which included a nice angling of the paddle to give a double 'clip' to the whack. Facing the perp towards the wall and hitting them so hard as to make their head hit the wall was considered proof of expertise. Making a man/boy tear up or cry was a special prize.

Meanwhile Dr. Spock said 'Don't spank'.

The ol Hegelian Dialectic of extreme dichotomies with very little middle ground.

What could go wrong?