IN response to John Bargh (Letters, September 26), when I was at school in the Fifties we had the cane and it was given once or twice.

But I certainly did not go running to Mummy and Daddy -- or it would have been another dose, but not of them, as now, running to hit the teacher.

We were taught respect for our parents, teachers, the police and for each other.

The newspapers of those days did not have pictures of elderly people beaten up for a few pounds, nor stories of them being afraid of going out at night, or having fireworks thrown in their houses, eggs thrown at their doors, etc.

The problem started was in the Sixties by the do-gooders with "don't smack them," free expression.

We had far more poverty in the Fifties. But we had corporal punishment and a lot less crime.

The jails didn't have en suite facilities, colour television, videos, DVD discs, satellite TV, computers, gyms etc. But, for some strange reason, there weren't as many using them.

I am sure most people will agree that we have gone downhill rapidly since the Sixties, with the cause being parents, lack of respect greed, do-gooders, and, without doubt television.

Sort these out and we might get somewhere -- if it's not already too late.

DONALD LODGE, Cross Lane, Waddington.