All this reminds me of the culture shock I suffered when coming to live here from France nearly 40 yeas ago. It seemed to me even then that people relied too much on the "state" or school to parent their children. The cane was still used then, and I was shocked, not by the idea of corporal punishment as such, but by the fact that as a parent, I wouldn't be involved in sanctions imposed if my child misbehaved! I didn't have kids then, but I thought that if a child of mine misbehaved to the point where punishment was neeeded, I felt I should be informed and I should have been the one doig the punishing. My British friends didn't really understand what I meant! This is what would have happened back home. I was also shocked to learn that if a child causes damage by accident the parents have no legal obligation to take responsabilty for the damage, and as such, feels no moral obligation either. Back home, you don't have to prove malicious intent on the part of the child for parents to be responsible. All parents take on a "civil responsability" insurance anyway, to cover any damage caused by their child, even if caused accidentaly. It does bring it home that your kids are your responsability.