I think we're arguing over the definition of a broad term – "trauma". What's emotionally traumatic (causing psychological injury or great distress, per Wiktion

I think we're arguing over the definition of a broad term – "trauma". What's emotionally traumatic (causing psychological injury or great distress, per Wiktionary) to one student can be a chance for fun for another (as the OP pointed out, he had fun with the dog biscuits, good for him). It varies by culture too. But I think everyone here can remember a time they were forced to do something humiliating by one's peers. That's a basic form of bullying, which studies have shown has lasting effects into adulthood. [1] Great distress + psychological injury = emotional trauma. ("Great" and "injury" are again broad terms so we could keep going here…) Being forced to do something humiliating by an authority figure – even as a punishment – is not really much different from being forced by a peer. It's arguably worse, since the authority figure models to the child's peers that humiliating this child is OK. It's not really excusable when there are plenty of other disciplinary options available. (Certainly I've never taught at or attended a school that found it necessary to keep a supply of dog biscuits at hand.) Yes, being beaten or denied food are much worse – the stronger word I would use there is "child abuse". Doesn't mean that denigration by an authority figure isn't traumatic. [1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/long-term-effects-of-bullying_n_2728190.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/long-term-effects-o...