Dec 21, 2018 · The Water-Babies demonstrates that the connection between discipline and corporal punishment creates a barrier that makes it difficult for a character such as Grimes to see birching as inhumane. Kingsley’s opposition to using …

These were allowed to birch misbehaving inmates across the bare seat until the early 1920s. Under government pressure, the cane or tawse over trousers then became the standard means of applying internal discipline.

Birching is a form of corporal punishment with a birch rod, typically used to strike the recipient's bare buttocks, although occasionally the back and/or shoulders.

For Victorian disciplinarians, physical punishment served not only to curb rebellious behaviors but also to instill character and moral resilience. The rod and cane were emblematic tools, used to reinforce the boundaries of proper conduct and respect for authority.

More serious offences, especially, which demand public thrashings, are apt to involve twelve strokes, whether it be with Birch, Strap or Cane. The infliction of twelve strokes is often made in an attempt to cure a boy of his criminal tendencies.

Dec 19, 2006 · Although the hazel stick I received was always already waiting on my fathers desk, i can easily see how this is an effective additional punishment. The switch, not unlike the birch, was a predecessor of the rattan cane in many european schools.

Sep 28, 2014 · Retained by her father from his days as Housemaster at the local Borstal, Pippa had a lurking memory from her childhood that this particular one – known as a judicial cane – was, like the legendary birch, only ever administered across the bare buttocks of hardened delinquents.

May 28, 2009 · The birching was usually given in a kneeling position and never over clothes. The school punishment was reinforced by home punishment and the wise pupil would not willingly admit to a caning at school as this might well elicit a further punishment at home.

Mar 14, 2021 · In 1862 the courts were allowed to sentence men to either whipping or birching. Birching was another form of corporal punishment. This punishment meant beating a man across the bare backside with a bundle of birch rods.

Perhaps as an aside it is worth considering why the cane became the predominant instrument of corporal punishment. In Victorian times, there were a host of instruments in use; birch, whip, crop, belt, to name a few. Yet by the 1930s, the cane had replaced most of them. The big change was the first world war and the attitude to people.