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Violence is no solution



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D J Hollingsdale continues to propound his bizarre theory that violence is beneficial to society (Letters, 8 May), especially when perpetrated by adults against defenceless children. Even the most cursory glance at British history shows that he is wrong.
The threat of bodily mutilation, transportation and hanging did not deter the London mob, the Young Turks or the hooligan gangs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Widespread child-beating in the post-war years did not prevent the teddy boy riots of the 1950s, the massed battles between mods and rockers in the 1960s or the violent football gangs of the 1980s.

Violence against children may produce fear of, and obedience to, the perpetrator. But Mr Hollingsdale is severely deluding himself if he thinks violence by any authority can ever produce "healthy respect" for that same authority.

ALAN GRANT

Moniaive

Dumfries & Galloway





The full article contains 146 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 09 May 2008 8:43 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Stuart W,

10/05/2008 03:23:52
But take Mr Grant's argument to its logical conclusion and no form of punishment at all would be administered because no form punishment will ever be 100% successful.

He denigrates 'fear and obedience', but surely this has to be the basis of any system of rules and enforcement, whatever form the punishment may take?

Can't say I'm a big fan of corporal punishment, but I'm quite sure it helped to keep myself and others at my school in check.
2

Willie Macleod,

Wick 10/05/2008 03:28:20
Well said Alan the best letter on this subject I have read.
3

Willie Macleod,

Wick 10/05/2008 03:55:01
#1 Spare the rod spoil the child the cutty stool the stocks the birch and other forms of humiliation and violence. are in the dustbin of history.

And that is where they should remain.
4

Guga II,

Rockall 10/05/2008 04:37:40
If "violence" is no solution, what is? How else would Alan Grant go about controlling the violent neds and thugs roaming the streets? It is all very well saying that such and such doesn't work, but surely for such an argument to have any credence, another, workable solution should be put forward.

The facts of life are such that most of the violent neds and thugs understand only one language, violence. Bringing back the birch and the cat o' nine tails would solve a lot of the problems; mollycoddling thugs would not.

5

Willie Macleod,

Wick 10/05/2008 04:59:25

#4 Why do the neds and thugs understand only one language because it is what they have seen in the home and before it was banned in the school You defeat your own argument with its cure.
6

Willie Macleod,

Wick 10/05/2008 05:01:54
#5 Your cure sorry
7

Guga II,

Rockall 10/05/2008 07:10:37
#6. So how would you handle all the violent neds and thugs? Send them on overseas holidays paid for by the taxpayer? Or can you come up with a "cure" that would work?
8

Rudi Hucker,

Uddingston 10/05/2008 08:58:17
#7 Lock them up with hard labour. No violence, but remove their freedom toblight society. It gives them a choice on release - conform or go back inside.
9

Hugh V McLachlan,

Eldeslie 10/05/2008 09:28:31
#8 Rudi Hucker

'Lock them up with hard labour. No violence, but remove their freedom toblight society. It gives them a choice on release - conform or go back inside.'

This is far more barbaric and ruinous for people's lifes than corporal punishement. It is also hideously more expensive. Will it work? Your are guessing that it will.
10

Itchy,

10/05/2008 14:01:20
#4 this man was belted for being left handed and others recall being belted for wrong answers and being belted because the teacher felt like it.

How does that keep people 'in check'?
11

Hugh V McLachlan,

Elderslie 10/05/2008 22:06:16
#10 Itchy

It is not a criticism of corporal punishment as such to say that it was often misused. Any sort of punishment can be misused. It does not follow that it would be wise to abolish all forms of punishment.

 

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