Tradition
St. Benedict of Nursia
The Rule of St. Benedict
Chapter XXX. How Young Boys Are to Be Corrected
CHAPTER XXX
How Young Boys Are to Be Corrected
Every age and understanding should have its proper discipline. Whenever, therefore, boys or immature youths or such as can not understand how grave a penalty excommunication is, are guilty of a serious fault, let them undergo severe fasting or be disciplined with corporal punishment, that they may be corrected.
Source: The Rule of St. Benedict (CCEL)