Did all parents hit their kids in the 1970s?

[Polythene]

I often hear that this was the norm. But was it, really?

It was common in the 90s too. I remember a teacher throwing a chair at someone once!

Yes I was smacked a couple of times. It was pretty common. Not loads. Boys in my class were given the belt by the headmaster (Scotland late 70s v early 80s).

Not me. My mum was very opposed to smacking. My dad smacked me once and my mum went mad at him.

Funny this should come up as my youngest DD (9) told he her grandad ‘smacked’ her on their recent visit. I wasn’t there, and her father had a massive go at him apparently.
He’s a horrid little man, thankfully quite old and frail now so karma is getting the better of him. I’ve told DD to push him over if he lays a finger on her again.

Scotland too and I remember the boys getting the belt - I think until about 1986 or thereabouts.

Only ever slapped once that I remember, threatened with a slap or DGF would undo his belt..but it was never more than that, a threat. The slap was for refusing to put a skirt and blouse on to go visiting relatives, I hated 'girly' clothes and wanted to wear jeans, t-shirt and bomber jacket. DM stayed home with me while the rest of the family went out. I had to stay in the bedroom. I spent the day reading my Famous Five books. It wasn't a punishment! 😁

candlewick!

A friend of my GM's had these - different colours in every bedroom!

My Mum would smack me with her hand or a slipper if I was naughty but not often. The cane was still used in school although only rarely. I did get smacked several times in quick succession with a ruler on the back of my hand when I was about 6 for getting my S's back to front.

I grew up in the 70s and I received a few light smacks as did my brother and sister but they didn't hurt but they made me stop and think. I wasn't traumatised at all. I was hit at school over the hand with a ruler when I was 6 for talking and I clearly remember some boys being hit so hard by the Head teacher that they couldn't sit down.

Smacked for minor misdemeanors. Leathered for serious breaches of the rules. My Brother too. Both of us very well adjusted adults and decent parents. I was also smacked by teachers. Didn't really do me any harm. Appreciate it's a different time, and I would be unhappy if anyone hit my children. But it was of it's time.

80s child.
Was walloped with weapons; hands, slippers, hairbrush, wooden spoon.

I assumed it was the norm until I had my own children and couldn't imagine putting them in a situation where they feared and hated me.

I lost all respect for my parents for behaving that way and they done untold damage to me through not having safety over my own body.

Yes it could've been worse, but they also could've done so much better..!!

No. But a lot did.

I was belted 3 each hand
So bruised and swollen couldn't hold a pen
Scottish academy 1970s

The ruler was obviously teachers weapon of choice! 😳😂

Yup. The thrashed often.

its weird as I adore my parents but - and I don’t know whether this is almost a defence mechanism working in the background - I have no resentment against them for it. My mum used to tell me that (after I’d “misbehaved “) I was getting one when dad got in from home. I’d be anxious all day and my dad surely did get home and dispense said thrashing. I’d beg him not to and he’d do it without says a word. I’d cry before during and after. But to this day love him entirely. Cognitive dissonance? Who knows.

DD is 18 now and the thought of hitting her like that or allowing DH to, never mind inflicting that fear all day on her, makes me feel quite sick to be honest. I think I told her once that it happened when I was a kid and she cried her eyes out and said she never wanted to speak to grandad again 😳

Oh meant to say it was generally a slipper

😬😬 Sounds far from a punishment..!!

No Scots here with lurid stories of the tawse?

There was no smacking in our home in the 60s/70s but from threads on here over the years I think my parents were quite different to many .

My parents never hit me or my siblings, all born in the 70s. No teacher either as it was banned by then.

Yeah think the belt was a Scottish thing. So odd.

This one boy I recall who had some kind of physical disability - looking back maybe cerebral palsy - he was always getting the belt. Poor boy.

??

Yip couple of posts back.

Awww the belt by its proper name. Can’t believe it was going til 1987.

I’d have thought 70s would have been the cross over time. I’m 80s child and never heard of it (except strict old fashioned headmistress who used to tap back of legs in assembly). My parents were 50s children and was very common.