10 School Traditions That Would Never Be Allowed Now

School traditions often reflect the values and norms of their time, but some past practices now seem downright shocking and even harmful through today’s lens. From public punishments and cruel hazing rituals to outright discriminatory rules, these customs reveal how much educational environments have evolved. Exploring these outdated traditions not only highlights progress but also reminds us why protecting student dignity and safety must always come first.

1. Corporal Punishment Assemblies

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In some American and British schools up until the 1980s, it was common to hold public assemblies where students were spanked or caned in front of their peers. Teachers believed it would serve as a deterrent for bad behavior, but it often only humiliated and traumatized kids. Today, such a practice would trigger legal action and national outrage.

2. Hazing Rituals for Freshmen

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High schools and colleges, especially in the U.S., had brutal hazing rituals disguised as “tradition” — think of paddling, forced nudity, and even drinking raw eggs or worse. In 1978, one incident at Alfred University in New York saw freshmen being locked in trunks and dropped off miles away. These rites of passage have been outlawed in many places due to deaths and psychological harm.

3. Weight-Watching and “Fat Books”

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In Japanese schools in the 1950s and 60s, some teachers kept logs called “fat books” tracking students’ weight publicly. Children were routinely weighed and shamed if they didn’t meet standards. With today’s focus on mental health and body positivity, this practice would be considered abusive and deeply unethical.

4. Smoking Lounges for Students

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In parts of Europe and even in some U.S. schools up through the 1970s, students had designated smoking areas on campus. Teachers would sometimes join in, casually lighting up next to teens during breaks. It’s hard to imagine now, but back then, smoking was seen as a mark of maturity, not a health hazard.

5. “Slave Auctions” as Fundraisers

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Shockingly, many American schools ran mock “slave auctions” in the 1950s–1990s where students were “sold” to raise money for charity. Even if meant in jest, the racial connotations were glaring, and the discomfort it caused was immense. Today, such an event would be universally condemned as tone-deaf and racist.

6. Duct-Taping Students to Walls

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In the 2000s, some U.S. schools started a bizarre fundraising trend where students could pay to duct-tape a teacher — or even another student — to the wall. It might have seemed funny at the time, but cases quickly emerged where kids were left too long, suffered injuries, or had breathing issues. This would now raise serious concerns regarding safety and consent.

7. “Dunce Caps” in the Classroom

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In earlier 20th-century American and British schools, children who struggled in class were forced to sit in the corner wearing a cone-shaped “dunce cap.” It was supposed to be a lesson in discipline, but it only served to humiliate and isolate kids who likely needed support, not shame. Today, we understand the detrimental impact of public embarrassment on a child’s development.

8. Gender Segregation in Daily Activities

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Schools in the U.S., UK, and Australia once rigidly enforced gender roles — even assigning boys and girls different entrances and requiring them to participate in separate recess activities. Girls were discouraged from science and sports, while boys were steered away from music or dance. While some single-sex schools still exist, forced gender segregation is largely rejected now as outdated and discriminatory.

9. Chickenpox Parties

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In the 1970s and 80s, some schools allowed or even organized “chickenpox parties” where infected kids were brought together to intentionally spread the virus. The idea was to get it over with early, but it exposed children to complications and was medically irresponsible. With today’s understanding of virology and public health, such events would be illegal.

10. “No Left-Handed Students” Rule

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It wasn’t uncommon, even into the 20th century, for schools in the U.S., UK, and Philippines to punish children for writing with their left hand. Teachers tied hands behind backs or slapped wrists to “correct” what was seen as deviant behavior. This archaic rule has thankfully disappeared, but the scars remain for many older generations.

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