We also used to pop small children right in their mouths for back talk and cussing. Divorce was very difficult, chemical birth control didn't exist, and the man was far more likely to get custody if he wanted it assuming there was a divorce, teenagers were just starting to popularly drive automobiles, and finally, there was no gibsmedats and orphanages still existed so irreconcilable little shitheads could be dumped off and await the inevitable neutering in the State prison system.
Its a wonder what can be accomplished when society condones measured bits of violence against children and wannabe whores and homewreckers.