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I got the belt every time I was dishonest or willfully nasty. Not for everything, just those issues. The rules were clear. Tell the truth, and treat others as you'd like to be treated. Mistakes were tolerated, normal selfishness of growing up, normal risk taking, that's just to be expected. But: if I told a lie (not just a little fib, but something that you are fully aware of being a lie to mislead someone), or if I deliberately treated someone horribly (eg. bullying at school) - I had to bend over the bed and get my ass whipped hard with a belt.
The rules were clear and consistent, as were the consequences. It hurt at the time, but that went away within a day or two. It was just a huge reset button that made me more self aware and contrite. I wasn't resentful. It reset my attitude.
I don't know what has that effect these days, but something that dramatic and visceral is needed. It worked. And pretty much every one of my friends grew up the same way. This was in the 1980s.
Sure, some people have been horribly abused and those people need protection. Frankly, the same is true for emotional abuse. And for other forms of abuse like food or countless other things that cruel parents do. But as for me: I'm grateful for my upbringing. Wouldn't change it one little bit.
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