Community Chat

[kdgn]

As long as paddling is legal in Georgia (total of 19 states allow it) then what the principal did, with the mother's permission, is also legal. I have to wonder why she video taped it though. Obviously she was there...

I don't know about Georgia but when paddling was allowed in CA there were strict guidelines that had to be followed. Towards the end of its reign written parental permission had to be given. 

While I haven't seen the video, I do know there are children who will scream long before a swat/spanking/paddling even happens. You would think they were being tortured and they haven't even been touched. 

This mom admitted that the boy wasn't well behaved. 

Consider this: Spitting on another child is considered a health hazard. A serious health hazard/risk. 

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Goldengate8361 wrote:

No human being should ever, ever hit another human being----particularly an adult hitting a child - for any reason!!!!! That is assault. The teacher should be arrested. Clear and simple. I'm completely appalled that people are even debating this. Sad commentary on humanity.

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@Goldengate8361

If I heard the news story correctly, there are 13 states where physical punishment is legal.

In this particular case, this brat had spit on a teacher, among other things.  The mother had given her permission for the spanking.

[PamfromCT]

After viewing this segment on the news, and assessing the comments of the mother, it is obvious that this child is coming from a troubled home.  Evidently, the child"s attendance record is not good, as well.

The scene of this paddling, with the child crying, "Mommy, please help me" before being paddled, broke my heart.  This has accomplished nothing but harm to this child.  Bet he will never forget this incident, even as a grown man.  Hasn't this school ever heard of "time out"?  And filming this - wow - I find it sickening.  

Perhaps the states allowing physical punishment might take a lesson from other states who handle problems without the hurt and humiliation of physical force.

[riley1]

This mother is the problem imo. She has already been in jail for the child missing so much school time. However, the child is no angel either - he was spitting at the teacher and trying to hit another child. Corporal Punishment is legal in Georgia and she agreed to it. Then pretended to be texting while she was actually videotaping the whole thing - guess who hired a lawyer? Yup, the mother - I'm sure she sees dollar signs.

[riley1]

Forgot to add - the other thread is in Among Friends - The 5 year old...

[maestra]

The mother was already brought up on Truancy charges in regard to the child; he was hitting and spitting in school.

I dont condone paddling, nor should other children and teachers be sujected to this child's physical abuse such as hitting and spitting.

School should be a safe place for everyone; acting out children should be removed from the classroom by administration (that's why they earn the big bucks) and followed up by parental contact and social services/authorities ( this case definetely qualifies for that).

For the record, I only swatted my own child 2x in her life and it was 1 swat on the buttocks.

For little ones I prefer the time out chair or space.

[Isobel Archer]

Considering how out of control the child was prior to the paddling, it seems doubtful he gets much constructive discipline at home.

Since mom has apparently contacted an attorney - while also taking her story public, I'm sure the filming was deliberate.  So I'm not having warm fuzzies about how much she actually cares about her child's well being.

[Plaid Pants2]

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@Brooklynny wrote:

@Mz iMac, I, too, went to Catholic school (1960s), so I can relate completely to your comment.  I'm glad those days are over -- they would never get away with it now.  For those states that still allow corporal punishment, let's get real.  This is 2016.  Guess what happens when a child is hit.  He/she learns to hit.  A very, very bad lesson to teach in my opinion.  I don't care if the parent is complicit.  It's wrong.

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I was given a couple of swats on my butt when I was a child, and guess what? I don't go around hitting people, so your statement about a kid who gets hit, they learn to hit, is untrue.

[Isobel Archer]

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@Plaid Pants2 wrote:

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@Brooklynny wrote:

@Mz iMac, I, too, went to Catholic school (1960s), so I can relate completely to your comment.  I'm glad those days are over -- they would never get away with it now.  For those states that still allow corporal punishment, let's get real.  This is 2016.  Guess what happens when a child is hit.  He/she learns to hit.  A very, very bad lesson to teach in my opinion.  I don't care if the parent is complicit.  It's wrong.

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I was given a couple of swats on my butt when I was a child, and guess what? I don't go around hitting people, so your statement about a kid who gets hit, they learn to hit, is untrue.

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And apparently this kid had already learned to hit - and spit etc., and the mother is leading us all to believe she is opposed to paddling so I guess he didn't learn it that way.

[Yardlie]

I'm with you, Goldengate! I don't think any human being should ever hit another human being. I know paddling is legal in some states, with parental permission, but I think there are better ways to discipline a child.

In some states, paddling is legal even for high school students. IMO, that is just plain ridiculous and may have s*xual connotations for some students in that age group.

I agree that because saliva is a body fluid, a more serious form of discipline should be used...probably suspension until the child learns not to spit.

It's not the school's fault that the child has already missed 18 days of school this year. I would assume they are counting unexcused days...not illness.