I'm troubled that the father isn't even mentioned. Did the SM do this on her own, or was it a joint decision? Leaving the father out devalues his role and only perpetuates the stereotype of the evil SM. I'd really like to hear his pov.

I've seen this article before and I agree the punishment fits the crime perfectly.
However I'm definitely on board with, "where is the dad?" "Why isn't he mentioned?"

My SS came home years ago and said, "we got a new kid this week and he's worn the same t-shirt everyday this week three days nI a row and everyone's making fun of him for it." DH was on SS ass quick.
SS found out next day at school the kid had moved because the family were fire victims and the family only survived with the clothes off their backs! It is a small school so when teachers heard they started fund raising for the family.
SS and the boy are still friends years later. But it took SS volunteering that information to DH for something to happen.

DH & I did something similar as clothing was SD's hit her where it hurts place. It did work. She also went to school and told the counselor it was so horrid she was going to kill her self. I still remember the look on her face when they told her, that the punishment would stand.