Before an unnecessary argument breaks out, I grew up in the UK, Scotland and Glasgow in particular. So rather more austere in comparison to a middle class US family.

I completely accept that taking the kids out to the pizza/burger joint was probably regular in the US. Interesting, but our perception back then was that US kids were spoilt brats. But I wouldn't now - it's just an indication of how standards changed.

Might also add, I attended a school where corporal punishment was normal, but curiously no one questioned it. We were just urchins that needed fixing, and besides, it toughened you up. Looking back, that value is quite shocking and such practices were banned in 80's (it had to go to the European Court though).