I think it’s possible some people who are in a position where, because corporal punishment isn’t used where they are anymore, that all discussion of it can be absolutely entirely theoretical, may not fully appreciate that I don’t have that same luxury of being able to think about it from a purely theoretical perspective.
One of the first things I always say to student teachers, or those who are newly qualified is “It’s different on the chalkface.” Theory is important, and ideology is important. But real world conditions have their own special impact.
My views on the corporal punishment of girls in schools aren’t based on direct personal experience – because I have such limited direct personal experience of punishing girls in a school environment. If I did, maybe my views would be different – but I don’t and so I can’t base my views and opinion of direct imperical observation.