Some letters from British newspapers in the mid-1960s (#1 of many)
by Anne O'Nimis
For your reading pleasure, in the tradition of Will/Gotham56's posts from this summer and earlier, here are some 'letters to the editor' from British newspapers from the 1960's. They were collected and scanned by somebody else and typed by yours truly.
Extracts from Scottish Daily Mail, Edinburgh:
SPANKING (March 31, 1964)
When my 15-year-old daughter had friends in for the
evening, several of the girls said they must go home
at 9:30 or they would be spanked. Girls of this age
are too old to be treated to this indignity. (Mrs.) H. Young, Newport, Monmouth.
SPANKED (April, 1964)
I stayed last weekend with a girlfriend in London and
her mother had to bail us out after the Clacton
troubles. When we got home, my friend's mother gave
us 12 of "the best."
I am 15 and this the first good thrashing I've ever
had, and it made me disagree with the theory that
spanking is an indignity. For me it was a real
lesson -- no more rockers. (Name and address supplied.)
TEEN GIRL ADVISOR (undated)
Q. Unhappy Eighteen (S.E. 18). My mother spanks
me with a cane, which is terribly humiliating as I am
made to strip and bend across her knee. I dread the
occasions when she takes me into her bedroom to punish
me. What shall I do?
A. I can do little but offer you my sympathy.
Confide your trouble to a senior member of your family
who should speak to your mother on your behalf. To
treat a girl of 18 in this way is disgraceful. I
never encourage girls to rebel against their parents
but in this case I do most definitely suggest that you
refuse to allow the chastisement. Your punishments
may be justified, but suggest to your mother that you
be given them in another form. If she cares to write
to me personally, I shall be glad to answer.
The following column appears to be a 'private reply,' i.e. a public response to an unprinted letter, some time after the above letter ran.
TO SALLY (in Norfolk) (undated)
I still must disagree with you in your approval for
spanking for girls of 18. You say you do not mind it
and prefer it to nagging. That happens to be your
nature. For girls who are more sensitive and apt to
brood over such treatment it could have a very unhappy
and serious effect for a long time. It is an
unnecessary humiliation. The fact that you do not
feel humiliated is individual, but no two girls are
the same.
MEANIES (May 13, 1961)
I am a fourteen-year-old schoolgirl and think you were
very mean to print the article "Should Big Girls Be
Spanked?" ('Today' section, April 15).
It gave my parents ideas. When I came home late the
other night my father put me across his knee, took off
his slipper, and -- well, you can guess the rest.
I remain, yours hatefully -- Miss M.D., Hornchurch, Essex.