Back in that time, parents weren't treating kids the same way as they treat nowadays. There were punishments, hierarchy, mothers and fathers had their job. Mothers used to stay home with kids, do the housework, while fathers were working. Fathers used to be the head of the family, he earned money for them. Mothers were washing up, doing the dishes, cooking and so on.
Kids respected their parents. They didn't have responds if their parents asked them to do the chores. They knew if they didn't do it, their parents (especially their fathers) would have beat them. But also the society was different. They totally agreed that harmful punishments would help the children learn the lesson. Even teachers used the same methods in school. It was allowed to harm children.