Opinions about an elementary school teacher who was caught on camera "birthday spanking" a young student have been mixed. In the video, the student prepared for impact as his teacher, beaming, brandished a wooden ruler. The kid was also laughing, thankfully. The video has gone viral on TikTok.
The student and teacher were participating in a tradition known as "birthday spankings," miming a spank for each year they are, plus "one to grow on."
Most commenters had no issue with this practice, saying it was a common tradition in North America. Some people, however, found the tradition a bit odd and uncomfortable.
One TikToker said he wouldn't continue the tradition if he were a teacher.
“If I was a teacher, the last thing you would see me doing is giving out birthday spankings to students. Because even if I was just doing it to be funny, people could see it in a very different light.”
One person, who was notably in the minority, commented on the lack professionalism.
@june_kk2/TikTok
But most people chimed in and said this wasn't really an issue.
@enrique.m420/TikTok
@krisb214/TikTok
Many pointed out that the child was clearly in on the joke.
@3xseeker/TikTok
@w.c.doublev/TikTok
Many shared their own experiences.
@nevaeh0439/TikTok
@justinangli/TikTok
@allynwillow/TikTok
@justic.for.fat.unicorns/TikTok
@pastelxpunk/TikTok
Some people admitted that they have since realized how odd their school's traditions were.
@savannahmeritt/TikTok
It looks like the tradition of birthday spankings is still going strong in some areas, even though the rumblings of cultural change are growing louder.
Phone Where Is It GIF by Specks of Dust 
Clean Water GIF by Rotary International 
Visualize Video Game GIF by Dr. Donna Thomas Rodgers 
rome GIF 
China Holiday GIF by Virgin Atlantic 
Penguin Hello GIF by Pudgy Penguins 
marine GIF 
television vintage GIF 
Honda Jeep GIF 
Trick Or Treat Halloween GIF by SNICKERS 
Barbra Streisand Girl GIF