Good for you - that should help them remain "sweet daughters!" I used to be a nice person, before I went to junior high school. I wouldn't inflict that on any child ... I was well on in my 30's before someone in my prayer group realized why I was so angry.
My parents didn't know any better, back in the 70's, but it's hard to believe parents today don't know they have other choices. Alaska even has "virtual public school," so parents can teach the schools' curriculum at home at no cost. There's no reason for such misery to be inflicted on any child, it's just heartbreaking. I have a son named Tom, too :-).
Correction, I'm not sure this program was running at the time of the incident in the article ... but they still had unregulated homeschooling in the state.