Paddled for Prom Dress Code Violation?

The article I read said 17 of the 18 students who were in violation of prom dress codes opted for a paddling... What a ridiculous event. What kind of grown person would feel comfortable paddling a bunch of 17/18 year old girls? And more, what kind of 17/18 year old chooses to get paddled? This is why I don't pay much attention to these things... people are crazy. Both sides, crazy.