It's the disipline is gone to crap
If I did something out of the way, not only was there the mental berating you would get (and chcb will agree that Irish mothers are the best in the world at making you feel like the biggest most worthless piece of crap in the world for stealing that 20p or hitting that kid down the street) but I know mine, and a lot of my friends were in the situation where their old man would give them a clatter. Nothing serious, a slap across the back of the legs or a bit of a clout behind the ear.

That's not child abuse, that's disipline. If I had been confined to a 'naughty step' I would have probably set fire to it (I was that kinda kid).

By punishing the parents for punishing their kids you make them fear it.

Caning was illegal in Ireland by the time I got to school, I still got caned by the principle in primary school though. When I ran home whining to my parents they told me that I probably deserved it and I needed to learn to accept the consequences of my actions. This is an important lesson that may not have been learned to the same extent otherwise.

When I was in my late teens one of the best guards (cops) around here moved on. If he found you acting the maggot (For example fighting or drink driving) him and the other guards would give you a hiding. Works a hell of a lot better than a 200 euro fine or a driving ban.

I remember one specific incident when a guy I know was 'Drunk and Disorderly', that's a crime that results in nothing really other than a fine and a warning, which does not stop people getting pissed and making a muppet of themselves a week later. So what this guard did is stuck him in the back of the paddy wagon, drove 15 odd miles away into the country, took his shoes and his wallet and told him to get the fuck out of the van and collect them from the station in the morning.

That man never caused trouble when drunk again. But then again a 15 mile walk with no shoes tends to leave a lasting memory.
(oeb, Thu 24 Apr 2008, 12:12, Reply)