Sixpence (short book review)

"I don't think it's the mother's job to beat the children. It's the duty of the father. And, besides, he impresses them so much more."(p. 54)

Dicky suddenly behaved like a child. He caused trouble for others. Mrs. Spears asked her husband to beat their children. After that, Mrs. Bendall told Dicky's father that her hat have lost. It's Dicky's doing. Dicky's father decided to beat his son.
I thought Dicky's father had to persuade his son with words. For example, with a cold attitude. But if the child doesn't hear others, there is nothing that beat him.