Being a teacher is now complicated?

When I was at school in the 60,s and 70,s You behaved in class or you got belted with a leather belt. These days there are no physical punishments But teachers have been bitten, kicked, hit, punched, verbally abused - by kids under 10 years old I would not be a teacher for all the tea in China Kids behave badly and dish out abuse because they know there is very little a teacher can do about it.

So true, teacher nowadays are friendlier and should be more accommodating.

You're raising a very real concern that many educators today feel but are often hesitant to voice. The shift in classroom discipline and student behavior is something I’ve also noticed—not just in our local setting but even globally. Teachers today are expected to be mentors, counselors, mediators, and educators all at once, and yet are often left vulnerable when they try to uphold order. It’s true that the past held a certain level of fear-driven respect, and while that worked for discipline, it sometimes came at the cost of open communication or emotional safety. Now, the pendulum has swung to the other side—where students are more vocal, empowered, and aware of their rights, but sometimes lack the maturity to balance those rights with accountability. That said, I don’t think it’s about choosing between the “old way” and the “new way.” I believe what we need is balance: teachers who discipline not to embarrass but to guide, and students who understand that correction is not oppression, but part of learning and growing. Yes, many young people today are more privileged in terms of comfort, technology, and support systems. But with that privilege comes the need for deeper character formation, which should be a shared responsibility between home, school, and society. Discipline is not outdated—it just needs to evolve with empathy, clarity, and consistency. As educators and adults, we still have a vital role to play in shaping values and setting boundaries, even in this more complex, emotionally aware generation. Let’s keep the conversation going, because education isn’t just about lessons in the classroom—it’s also about learning how to live respectfully with others.

And the culprits ar ethe parents who have no concern how their children behave.

Its not good here from I hear. The kids know the teachers can't do much

Gone are the days when kids behaved in class and were afraid to talk, etc. Now many of the kids just do what they want to. Teachers wouldn't dare strike a student or even talk too sternly to them. I want to go back to the 60s and 70s.

There is a big difference now - gone are the days when students showed respect for teachers. Of course, not all behave like that, but when they are bad they are really bad. Imagine fighting with your teacher? Or having family members walk into the classroom and attack your teacher?.