Originally Posted by rfkmcm
Has anyone ever watched the '60s sitcom Petticoat Junction? Do you
think the mom, Kate Bradley, was a spanker? Kate seemed rather
strict, but then you could see she had a soft side too. In my
opinion, I think she was a spanker but only on occasion. I remember
an episode where the youngest daughter, Betty Jo, went up in a plane
to prove she could fly it. When Betty Jo landed, Kate said, "I don't
know whether to give you a hug or take you to the woodshed!". Kate
settled for the hug. In some of the early episodes there are times
when Kate would swat Betty Jo on the backside.
The three girls really respected their mother. You could feel the
respect when you watched the show. There was such a big deal about
"defying mom". I'm not sure what implement Kate would have used. I
want to think she probably either used a switch, a wooden spoon,
possibly a small hairbrush, or maybe just her hand. They lived in a
rural area, and a lot of people in rural areas use switches to
discipline their kids. I can easily see Kate cutting a switch. I can
also see her swatting them with a spoon or her hand. Not sure about
the hairbrush, but she might have kept something in her purse for when
they went out in public if they acted up.
I've not seen nearly all the episodes, and already I'm finding
spanking threats and references. In one episode Uncle Joe tells Kate
that he's "gonna turn Betty Jo over his knee and womp her with a
hairbrush!". When Kate asked for what, Uncle Joe says it's because
she signed her name up for the horseshoe contest, a traditionally all-
male event. When Kate tells Uncle Joe Betty Jo didn't do it, Uncle
Joe says "well, someone did and they're gonna get womped!!". Since
Kate was the one who signed her up, Kate says "Well then, you get your
hairbrush, and I'll meet you in the basement. I never did like
getting womped in public." That was hilarious!! In another episode
Kate threatens an old man with a spanking because he has been spoiled
all his life. He is refusing to eat his food, and Kate tells him "If
you don't sit down and eat your food I'm going to turn you over my
knee and spank the daylights out of you!!" He minds Kate. It's so
funny.
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