Excellent Paul ....just to quickly add, as with so many of 'watchtower behaviours' ....... there are additional unwritten motivational factors.
During a WT study it may be said that "the rod" is not necessarily a spanking, but the point is taken, especially when red faced parents drag their kids to the back for the big wallop! This ritual is 'infectious'! The WT go to answer! As mild & caring a mother as I was, it got to me. The pressure to perform all the activities mandated by WT & to keep it up was a nightmare really, and sometimes something had to give.
Looking back I am appalled that we fell for the lie of watchtower's importance ........
clarity