the wonderful world of the internet

One of the things i like the most about the internet is how, when looking for a particular bit of information, you can sometimes come across some completely unrelated, and unusual information. Like this time.

I was googling the web for images of the great composer, Ludwig Van Beethoven, specifically using their useful Image search feature, when I came across a page that explained the various easter traditions of central Europe, including countries such as Poland, Slovenia, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and others. Here is the interesting tidbit I found (and I Quote)-

"One prime example of a pagan Czech Easter celebration is the "pomlazka". Farmers used to believe that a strong whipping after the winter period guaranteed health, prosperity, and most importantly a good harvest. This tradition remains to this day, although slightly modified. It is only the women who are given a good spanking with whips made of willow twigs, decorated with colourful ribbons (as if a little bit of decoration would help to ease the pain!). It is mainly younger boys who go from door to door, hoping to thrash a few girls to get some eggs in return, while singing traditional Easter carols.
The whipping or "pomlazka" is to get rid of all the bad things that had accumulated during the winter and bring the vitality back in the ladies, as well as ensure beauty and, of course, fertility."

Nothing like a good whipping to get the ol' Ovaries going.

the article goes on to quote a woman who reminisces about her ceremonial whippings as a child, and explains how it has now become a sort of game between younger children. That still does not justify what is essentially violence against women, disguised as an innocuous game between children.

i'm sure there are parallels in Indian culture as well, but my question is, how far can you go, when you are trying to balance ancient traditions and modern civility? where is the fine line between the game and the abuse? It can be assumed that the Czech explain to their young the sigificance of this ritual, and educate them about what constitutes fun and what becomes fear. Somehow, I cannot bring myself to expect the same from my own countrymen.