Indeed, we prob experienced that very last ebbing
of the paddling era. I almost find it hard to believe that we were paddled after so many years
of PC. For us it was the fear of it that was the operative motivation, rather than the force.
As FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear,
is, the fear of the PADDLE itself). My only padding was for calling principle Carter, "Carter
Farter". Not to his face, but to a student, surely a future member of the John Birch society,
who decided to narc on me for mentioning it.
I was subjected to a guilt-provoking questioning was to how I could possibly utter such blasphamy,
after which a got a VERY light paddling(BTW, anyone remember the "Earache my Eye" paddling
on the Cheech and Chong record? Principle Carter
didn't come close to the horsewhipping on that record, trust me on this). Repentant, and, I guess, a little bit less likely to pass on personal asides to Ken Piestro, life went on...

It isnt TOTALLY a babyboomer memory in some regions. Im from South Carolina, amd 28, and felt the paddle in 11th grade. I do support it because I found it effective, but your story makes me wonder. If it worked, why did you need it SO often? My experience was one I certainly didnt want to repeat :)

I was given my first swat on the butt while in the 4th grade in Joplin,Mo.I didn't even know it was coming.I was half way standing and leaning over the shoulder of the kid who sat in front of me pestering him about who knows what when BLAM. Mrs. Nathan was a wonderful teacher and and I still often think of her.

When I see the way kids act today, and the lack of respect they have for others, not to mention the things that go on in streets and schools (gone are the days when chewing grape flavored Bazooka bubble gum was a major issue), I think it must have been Satan, himself, who went around and hid all the paddles!

Great site. Anyways, even though paddling isn't at the chalkboards anymore, in my school district that I graduated from, it was still a given to get a paddle from one of the principals all the way up to 12th grade, thought didn't happen as much in high school. I just graduated last year. I dreaded each year when my parents registered me for school & signed for me to be paddle. I knew if I got a paddle from school, not only would the other kids find out, I'd also get it worse at home from my parents. If you got called to the office & you were well know for getting in trouble, the rest of the kids knew what you were getting called for. You could here the snickering. Then you return to class with a trying not cry like a sissy look. Thats why I was sorta the quiet goody goody type, not the annoying type though. Paid off in the end for me, cause I got a way with things.

wow! What devine coincedence that i found this site! Its wonderful! I'm 22yrs old and from dallas and i DEFINATELY remember/support getting the paddle. it was in gym class in the 2nd grade i got it for forgetting to wear the shorts required by girls under the skirted uniforms we had to wear and what was so bad was that we had to choose the weapon of mass destruction to be put either on our palms with a small thick flat paddle or on our backsides with 'big bessie' ...it all hurt the same and got the message across but needless to say i chose the former! if we still had the paddle around i believe we'd be back on the world's platform and leading in academic advancment and discipline.

I'm a baby boomer too and remember the paddle being used in school from early elementary through high school. It was indeed the threat of the paddle that kept us in line. Just the thought that it could be used on you for misbehaving was enough. For those unlucky to have received it, it was a lesson learned not to repeat the behavior that earned you the paddling. It worked, we survived and are better adults because of it.

Grammar school, before I moved after 5th grade, was pretty mild. Kids were kept in line pretty easy and most kids were well behaved. Redbank, South Portland, Maine was perhaps a bit unique in that way. But we did have to put our heads down on our desks sometimes for being “bad.” I can’t remember anything truly bad or disruptive. Of if you did not finish your work, you stayed after school in Mrs. Ruth’s class till you finished it. Wasn’t many times before you made sure you were done during school.

There was some confiscation of toys or similar property, some of which was destroyed, not returned, or kept for a month. Redbank did not tolerate anything. Being distracted, bored, and/or daydreaming was sin.

But I moved to Portland Maine for 6th grade. Unbelievable culture shock. Portland was Maine’s biggest city, 65,000. And for a city, pretty mild. But the kids were total brats compared to Redbank. My class had the distinction of having the worst boys. Could be. But the very worst delinquent was is the class across the hall. We had 4 6th grade classes. At least twice that year, his teacher, the disciplinarian of the 4 teachers and probably the one they stuck the worst boys with, would take him out into the hallway and slam him up against the wall, even several times, yelling and screaming. Not only could every kid in the 6th grade hear it very clearly, but maybe the whole 2nd floor. No teacher ever said a thing. Neither did the other students. We all felt it was deserved.

This kid would go on to be trouble in Jr. High as well. The Portland Police also had their way of dealing with him, I hear.

There are lots of things to contemplate. But I see most here, myself included, believe there has to be order and control and we have tied teachers hands and made it impossible to do anything. I have been told by one kid he was beaten up in 9th grade with teachers just watching. He was a nerd and desirable target in their eyes.

But I have also heard horror stories of teachers and enforcement way out of control. Suspending a 6 year old boy for a kiss and other such silly absurd stuff. I think they call it zero tolerance. Or was that zero brains? Can’t remember. And then there is that strip search of a well behaved 16 year old studious girl for giving out an ibuprofen. I should have been a principle ;-) And then there was the school where they made 12 year old girls take all their clothes off to be examined by a male doctor and some crying and being forced.

One has to wonder there can be such a contradiction in policy, allowing no punishment where it is desperately needed and yet going completely insane with zero tolerance and very suspect policies when it comes to basic rights of human beings, whether adults or minors. If they bodies are not protected short of reasonable grounds such as probably cause of weapons being carried, then what chance do any of us have?

For sure, we have gone from a somewhat normal to what can only arouse suspicion as to what they do today. I must recommend a book for all boomers, John Taylor Gatto’s The Underground History of American Education, which he says, was moved in a new direction in the 1960’s though cause it was just getting started, and started first in big cities and only much later filtered down to small towns and rural areas. You can actually read the book online at JohnTaylorGatto.com, I think it is. I have the book.

But let me warn you, you should be sitting down when you read it and maybe have a good stiff drink just in case. If I were to suggest that learning is being discouraged, would I be going too far? Anyway, as is evident from posts here, a lot has changed from 1960 to now. Why is the past always seen as the good old days? Good question! Now go out and find the answers. Or ask me ;-) I have ideas on everything. Such a know it all, huh?

I don't remember a paddle at school! I don't think that was allowed here. I do remember stories from my friends who went to Catholic school and them telling me about the Sister who would rap your hands with a ruler if you acted up? But no corporal punishments in schools I remember. I did have a band teacher throw a chair at us in anger one time in highschool! Speaking of paddles, I remember the paddles with the ball and string on it! I have had a few wacks from those kind of paddles from my parents! I suppose it was considered ok back then, but I do remember any spankings we got and I believe it to be wrong and I would never inflict that on anyone!