Some schools still use the cane or rotan to discipline students. Some parents argue that this method can be abused while others think it is necessary.
I REFER to the letter “When using the rod did no harm to students” (The Star, Jan 16). I must admit the last sentence, which read “... and expect to receive many negative comments from people who think they know better” was an invitation I simply couldn’t ignore. I don’t believe my comments are negative. Neither do I believe that I know better. I merely wish to present a different perspective.
The writer said that after two to three years of smacking, all the repeat offenders had learnt their lesson and changed their behaviour. To me, three years of smacking seem like a highly ineffective way to teach a child. If it took that long, I am inclined to believe that it wasn’t the smacking that changed the behaviour but a process where the child matured and grew out of such activities.
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