Sir, I would like to add my voice to the condemnation of the vandalism that took place over the weekend of September 11 and 12 in Tavernspite and Ludchurch. Unfortunately, I think your correspondent Mrs. Wilson (Observer, September 17) will have a hard time to get the 'do-gooders' to foot the repair bill; in their eyes, these people are misunderstood and can do no wrong. I agree a return to National Service might help, but the problems are much deeper rooted; we need a return to the old ways of discipline. When I was a child back in the 1960s, if you misbehaved, the punishment fitted the crime, even if it meant being caned in front of the class. The entire class then knew not to try what that child was being punished for. You respected your elders and had respect for the law. If you misbehaved, you got a clip round the ear and were taken home, to be given another clip by mother and a warning, 'wait until your father comes home'. Lord help you then if what you had done was bad; you were punished again and that was the end of the matter, unless you misbehaved again in a different way. Good discipline begins at home and the 'do-gooders' have made 'reasonable chastisement', to teach right and wrong, against the law. I do not condone child abuse in any form, but merely pointing out to a child verbally you are doing wrong is no good; it sends out the wrong message. If all I get is a verbal telling off, I'll do as I like. What incentive is there to behave? If you nearly get knocked down by a car while trying to cross the street, you'll know next time to be careful. The same goes for child discipline - if the smack hurts, you'll know next time to behave. I'm now in my 40s, I know right from wrong, I don't go around vandalising, I respect my elders and the law. Such is the state of society in the 21st century, a return to the old ways of discipline is long overdue.
Name and address supplied.