A reader of The Chattanoogan has fond memories of her upbringing:

I remember growing up. Everybody was your parent. When you were in church, at school or outdoors, you had to be the best-behaved child. Any adult that saw you doing anything out of the way sure would give you a spanking and, before you got home, your grandma or mother knew.

So, hands up if you think that being grabbed and spanked by random adults in the street would have helped you grow up a better person than you are.

What, nobody?

That said, in my virtual folder of fantasies is one where I’m a child growing up in a small community where every adult takes part in bringing up every child. Lots of spanking happens, naturally. However, in my fantasy, none of these adults are evil, morally suspect or even less than very wise, which makes it work this much better for me.