I went to a Catholic grade school, and most of my Nuns were Marines, at heart. Only those who were on a death wish pushed them.
My 5th grade Nun, who was about 70 -and had served as a Missionary in Bolivia way back when- was nobody to mess with even at her advanced age.
She was wont to walking between desk rows when teaching. One day as she was wending her way around the corner of the final row, a classmate tugged on her veil. She turned around and slapped him, across the face, about 4 times. His face was so red, and I distinctly remember his ears (they stuck out a bit) flapping about during the smackdown.
We had little sympathy for him, because the unwritten rule was: you may not touch the person of a Nun. We were scared by the incident, but we knew he got what was coming to him.
There were excesses, but on balance those times were preferable, because they induced fear and respect for authority, and as a consequence produced better citizens.
When the education and formation formula begins with the self-esteem prescription, you're bound to produce narcissits and pansies.
I can see why this kid called his Mom, but his Mom should have handled the situation differently, if in fact, this was just discipline.
The bigger problem of course for this kid, is he was born to a couple who decided divorce was the best option. This kid doesn't win either way.
Ok - I have to tell you about our pastor that retired a few years ago.
He had joined the Marines at age 18, went through Korea, and then when he returned stateside, participated in some of the nuclear testing that they were doing in Nevada. One of the tests had the men in trenches several miles from Ground Zero. After they popped the weapon, the men got out of the trenches and moved in towards Ground Zero.
He says he looked up and saw that rolling, burning cloud above him, and heard the Call - shortly after that, he got out of the Marines, went to seminary, and became a pastor in the Disciples of Christ church.
Now that he's retired, he's also substitute teaching in the local schools - he's been my daughter's substitute on a number of occasions.
When he subs at the high school, and we know how high school kids can act around a substitute teacher, he always makes a special announcement before he begins class:
"Hello - I'm a retired pastor, and a combat Marine - so this class can be heaven, or it can be hell. It's your choice."
He says that he never has a single problem like the other substitutes talk about.