Think this objectively: Will caning solves the problem?
Think this psychologically: When you get embarrassed/humiliated
for something (Remember, you mind is still not matured yet), what
will you do?
Will you learnt from it? Avoid making the same mistake and try
some other method to get back (revenge)? Probably the second
choice, right?
In the end, I feel that caning doesn't solve any problem, its
just sweeping dirt under the carpet and pretend its clean.
Just some scaring tactics which Singapore like to use which is
obviously failing in its purpose in teenagers nowadays. Teenagers
nowadays simply isn't scared of caning, instead they get more
rebellious.
The kids would most likely go with the second choice especially
if their actions were not done out of perversion but for fun and on
impulse. They will feel that they have been wronged and do not
deserve the severe punishment and humiliation of not just being
caned in public but being labelled as perverts by everyone around
them for the rest of their secondary school life.
I'm not agreeing with TS regarding his view that they need not
be punished because their actions have not been carried out, but
caning them in public simply serve no purpose but to snuff out
their self-esteem and amplify their rebelliousness. From what I can
remember when I was a kid, after the punishment, they will probably
be afraid if they don't do anything to get back at the teachers,
their peers would assume that they accept the punishment because
they are indeed perverts and are guilty of what they have done,
hence rebellious actions would usually follow thereafter to avoid
that.
The staff in charge of student discipline in that school should
definitely investigate the matter further to find out the cause and
intention behind their actions before deciding on a solution
instead of just lazily throwing up a one-rod-ends-all.
Spare the rod, and spoil the child. But if you misuse the rod,
you create a devil within him.
