Violence is no solution

D J Hollingsdale continues to propound his bizarre theory that violence is beneficial to society (Letters, 8 May), especially when perpetrated by adults against defenceless children. Even the most cursory glance at British history shows that he is wrong.

The threat of bodily mutilation, transportation and hanging did not deter the London mob, the Young Turks or the hooligan gangs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Widespread child-beating in the post-war years did not prevent the teddy boy riots of the 1950s, the massed battles between mods and rockers in the 1960s or the violent football gangs of the 1980s.

Violence against children may produce fear of, and obedience to, the perpetrator. But Mr Hollingsdale is severely deluding himself if he thinks violence by any authority can ever produce "healthy respect" for that same authority.

ALAN GRANT

Moniaive

Dumfries & Galloway