My sisters and I grew up in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, and that meant getting punished in ways that today would raise eyebrows (and probably also raise some legal flags). Back then, we knew it was just “how things were” and none of us ever even questioned it. But we’re a little bit older now, and a little bit wiser.
Here are 13 punishments we used to get as kids that were perfectly normal back then, but would not fly today.
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Getting Hit with a Belt or Stick
This was the classic “go get the belt” moment — and yes, some parents kept one just for that. It was loud, it was painful, and it was terrifying. Back then, it was a form of “discipline,” but now we know there are way better (and healthier) ways to teach a lesson.
Being Locked in a Room or Outside
Some kids were sent to a dark closet or locked outside in the cold to “think about what they did.” It wasn’t just scary — it was unsafe. Today, isolating a kid like that can cause real emotional damage, not to mention a panic attack or trauma.
Forced to Kneel on Rice or The Floor for Hours
This sounds like something out of a medieval torture manual, but it was actually a thing. Some kids were forced to kneel on uncooked rice or on concrete for hours at a time to “build character.” What they really built was pain, bruised knees and resentment.
Slapping, Pinching, or Pulling Hair
These weren’t one-off reactions — they were normalized forms of punishment. Pulling hair, getting slapped across the face, or ear twisting was a form of “quick correction.” But now we know physical contact like that is damaging — not helpful.
Public Humiliation
Being made to apologize in front of a group or stand outside holding a sign like “I stole from my mom” was meant to embarrass kids into being better. In reality, it just caused shame and anxiety. Public punishment doesn’t teach better choices — it damages self-worth.
Washing Mouths Out with Soap
Say a bad word and out came the bar of soap — or worse, liquid dish soap. The taste was awful, and the experience was gross. Some kids actually gagged or vomited. Definitely not something any parent would get away with today without some consequences.
Going to Bed Without Dinner
You misbehave, and suddenly dinner is off the table. Literally. It was such a classic punishment back then, but now it’s considered a form of neglect. Withholding food — a basic human need — is never the answer to bad behavior.
Being Banned from Birthdays or Trips
You misbehave, and suddenly you’re not going to your best friend’s party or the family beach day. Sure, consequences are important — but completely isolating a kid from important events can cause deep emotional pain, especially when it’s meant to shame them.
Getting Hit at School by Teachers
This wasn’t just a home thing. Back in the day, teachers could (and did) smack students with rulers, wooden paddles, or even their own hands. And it wasn’t rare — it was part of the system. Today, that would land the school in legal hot water real fast.
Extreme Chores as Punishment
Getting assigned extra chores for misbehaving isn’t a big deal. But when those chores turn into hours of scrubbing floors, cleaning toilets, or doing the whole family’s laundry as a punishment? That’s not discipline — that’s punishment turned into exploitation.
Being Called Names or Insulted
“Why are you so dumb?” “You’ll never be good enough.” Lines like these were often spoken in anger. But words like that stick with a kid. Now we know emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical, if not worse — and verbal attacks leave real scars.
Making Siblings Punish Each Other
Some parents thought it was a brilliant idea to say, “Go hit your brother, or I’ll hit you.” It put kids in an impossible position and caused long-term tension between siblings. It wasn’t just cruel — it messed with trust, guilt and emotional safety.
The Silent Treatment… For Days
Not talking to your kid for hours — or even days — as a punishment? That’s not “teaching a lesson,” that’s emotional manipulation. Kids need connection, even when they mess up. Ignoring them completely causes confusion, anxiety, and a fear of abandonment.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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