Letters to Voices : Paddling in Schools

Having read both articles on paddling (“It’s Not the Children Who Need to Be Hit” and “Paddling Doesn’t Scare Anyone,” Jan. 27), I can certainly that paddling or spanking of children cannot be condoned. However, Thomas Rhoads’ assertion that paddling doesn’t scare anyone may have a considerably lower probability of truth were one to change the participle to from “paddling” to “caning,” a la Singapore. Certainly not for children or young adolescents guilty of minor infraction of rules. But when a 17-year-old and older commits a misdemeanor or even minor felony I’m all in favor of caning and saving the money that imprisonment costs. Were caning properly handled, criminals would indeed fear the punishment.

M. STEPHEN SHELDON

Studio City