DarthVedder
Well-Known Member
Yeah it's always been used as a punishment, at least in the recent past, but it also served a purpose. By the time the White Walkers were forgotten or nobody believed in them, there were hostilities with the Wildlings. Now the White Walkers are gone and there are no more hostilities with the Wildliings. I suppose they might still view the Wildlings as an uncivilized society and would prefer to distance themselves from them.
It was partly a punishment and for some people like the Starks it was seen as an honor or duty. They always supported the NW and family members enlisted to help in leadership positions. That's why Benjen was there, and was pretty much the reason Jon joined.