I was asked about parents witnessing punishment and if it was more
effective when this was the case. Without looking up the date I think
this was late 50’s.
(If anybody want to know the exact date I can check it out.)
A boy was reported to me by a parent for gross rudeness. He used the
F word which was almost punishable by death in those days. The boy
admitted the rudeness and was informed that he get four strokes on
his bottom.The mother remained seated in the chair while I got the cane out and
made the entry in the book. I expected her to leave but did not. I
told the boy to lower his trousers and pants prior to reaching over
the desk to be caned. I suggested that the mother may like to leave,
as it was not a “pleasant” sight seeing a boys bare bottom being caned.
She was blunt in her reply. The implication of it being, that he had
been rude to her and that she had every right to see him punished.
She made the point that she had a son his age and was well use to
seeing boys undressed and would not be in the least embarrassed or
distressed seeing a boy caned.

She stayed and watched. When I say watched I mean watched. She was
so positioned that she could see, and watch the cane each time land
on his bare bottom. On his way out, amid tears I made him apologise.
The mother just told him in a very cold voice that she hoped it had
hurt and that he was ashamed that he had to be caned bare in front
of her.

The real twist came in this a few weeks later. Another mother complained
about this mothers son. He was given two, again bare in front of the
complaining mother. The mother of this boy, (the one that insisted
on staying) found out and complained to me. Here view was that it
was wrong that her son had to suffer a caning infront of another mother.
That was wrong and it was very wrong that he had to take it on his
bare bottom, and be in a position where she could see the bottom being
struck. She was in a right state. Just think back to here views when
she had insisted on staying. MY, in those days some mothers views
changed quicker than the weather!! I told here that she had witnessed
the same and it was no different. I recall she stormed out of my study
and nearly took the hinges off the door as she closed it.

 

When I was 15 in the 1962 I was caned by my headmaster for bullying a first year and relieving him of some money.

My father was called in to be present as was my victim and his father. The caning took place immediately after the end of the school day.

This was the fifth time I had been sent to the headmaster for the cane, but only the second time that I was required to drop my trousers and pants.

I received nine strokes that were pure hell, and the humiliation of it being done in front of my father was beyond words to describe. I was sobbing very real tears at the end of the session.

I was warned that another visit to the head would result in my expulsion.

The following day my name was read out in assembly and I had to stand while the head informed the gathered school, boys and girls, that I had been severely caned the previous day for bullying.

Although I would not have said this at the time, I now believe that I fully deserved that punishment and more for what I did. (I did get more at home)

I do not know whether I could say that the cane alone was effective in my case – I was sent to the head five times for it – this I do know, if my father had been present on the first occasion, I would never have had it again !!