Posted 2 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
So, what is a switch? It was used primarily as a punishment tool on students as used by teachers (of the past, primarily) to discipline unruly students.
This switch is about 30 inches long, with a diameter, at the holding end of about 1/2 inch in diameter, and 1/8 inch at the other end.
It has a stiff, but somewhat flexible core and is bound by a string-like wrapping going its entire length.
The owner of this switch must have taken great pride in ownership of this item because they had, carved in ivory, a dogs head at the end that the user gripped the tool.
I can tell you from personally striking myself on the arm, that it stings considerably, and leaves a welt-like mark where it strikes.
I definitely would not allow my child to be disciplined by such a weapon, nor would I like to see anyone being struck in this manor.
I read on the Internet that 20 states in the USA still allow corporal punishment for misbehaved students, and I hope this kind of control over our children is outlawed and left to history of the "schoolmarms" of the past.
looks more like a standard horse whip...
I went to the Grover Cleveland School im Dorchester Ma in the late fifties. J l Hammett School supplies Co sent a wrapped bundle of what we called Sticks to Mr Oliveira my homeroom teacher.
He told me to get the umbrella stand out of the closet, he then unwrapped them and put them in the stand and in front of the class he poured Vinegar in and said he was seasoning them!! If you goofed up, you got the STICK!!
We had a Shop teacher Mr. Magawin who was good with both hands so he would give the Stick to two kids one on each side of him at one time. Some brave kids goofed off just to be part of his show!! He also would juggle to hot soldering irons. Once he caught the wrong end!! But that's another story!!
Stuff
thank you for teling your school experiences.
Sad to say!! In My opinion the kids and the politicians are running the schools now!!
But I'm just an Old Fart now!!
Stuff
We had to pick our switch off of the tree :)
That would 'dog-gone' hurt. Sorry, couldn't help the pun...