Traumatized by whom?

By JIM BAKER

Monday, July 15, 2002

San Diego, Calif. -- The world could use more loving parents like the Aylmer couple and fewer of the bureaucratic automatons who consider them child abusers.

I grew up in Canada in the 1950s and "the strap" was a disciplinary tool applied to the bare hands by a teacher. I was on the receiving end often enough, and it hurt like the dickens.

I have wonderful memories of my excellent Canadian education and a particular fondness for the teachers who cared enough to discipline me. To think they were abusing me is ludicrous. In fact, I salute them.