Editing Martinet (section)

==Object==
[[Image:Martinet.jpg|thumb|right|A simple, small martinet]]
A martinet is a short, [[scourge]]-like (multi-tail) type of [[whip (implement)|whip]] made of a wooden handle of about {{convert|25|cm}} in length and about 10 lashes of equal, relatively short length. The lashes are usually made of [[leather]], but sometimes [[soap]]-stiffened cords are used in place of leather. It was a traditional instrument of [[physical punishment]] in France and other European countries. In French, it also refers to a similar dusting implement; the type for chastisement was also known as ''fouet d'enfant'', meaning ''child's whip''. The lashes are light, so they are ineffective unless the child is whipped naked. The advantage is they give a stinging pain on bare skin, but will not cause an injury.

The martinet was often applied on the calves, so that the children did not have to disrobe. Otherwise it was usually applied on the bare buttocks, adding humiliation to the physical pain, like the English and Commonwealth [[caning]], [[birching]], naval [[cat o' nine tails]], American [[Paddle (spanking)|paddling]], et cetera.

Around 1962, annual production in France was estimated at 300,000 per year. Approximately 33-50% of French households were estimated to currently or formerly own a martinet.<ref name="french-punish">{{cite book |title=Quand et comment punir les enfants? |date=1989 |publisher=Paris : Editions ESF |isbn=978-2-7101-0748-4 |pages=68 |url=https://archive.org/details/quandetcommentpu0000inst/page/66/mode/2up |language=French |quote=Based on sales figures from druggists, department stores, wholesalers and artisanal manufacturers, I estimated French production of martinets at 300,000 per year. Taking into account the population of martinable children, the probable duration of use of a family object, I arrived at an approximation of one family in two or three having or having had a martinet.}}</ref>

It is now considered [[Child abuse|abusive]] to use a martinet to [[punishment|punish]] children. However, martinets were still sold in the [[pet]] section of French [[supermarket]]s. Many believe that a large share of those sold are meant for use on children, not pets, or at least to threaten them. Nowadays, however, many supermarkets in France have stopped selling the martinet, even in the pet section. 

The martinet is also used as an implement in [[erotic spanking]] scenes, hard to distinguish from the [[Flagellation|flogger]], but which is usually lighter.