Sir, – I am sure that many of us who are a bit older can remember the verbal abuse and tongue-lashings that were regularly dished out by parents, teachers and clergy in the last century and also, sadly, today.
The wounds have persisted generations after the innocuous events that caused them are forgotten. I have no doubt that numerous children would have far preferred a “smack” rather than a tirade of verbal abuse, results of which have lasted their lifetime. – Yours, etc,