This is Mathilda's world, the small town of Backbeyond,in a large, fictional country full of contradictions andbigotry. She grew up here and is an integral part of thecommunity.

Here in Backbeyond, the old principles stillapply. The men are the head of home and the womenknow their place.

The men bear the responsibility andlook after the family, women take care of thehousehold and the children. They do what the head ofhome says and if the woman does not comply, she ispunished, usually by spanking.

The system is acceptedby everyone, men and women alike. And here are a few stories from Mathilda's life, ayoung woman who is about to leave her parents' homeand marry a nice young man whom she loves and who isnow to become the head of her home.

While browsing the internet, I came across the topic ofdomestic discipline and found posts on the subject inforums and on websites. Although I don't believe thatall of these posts are based on real events, some thingsare believable and plausible, so I have used them as thecore of my stories.

These stories are meant to beentertaining, but they are also meant to make you think. No one should be held in a system that they don't want,even if that system has a long tradition.

Similarities with real people and events are notintended and would be purely coincidental. .