Paddling Makes a Comeback in Texas
child punishment August 26th, 2008
My second grade teacher was a paddler. She never paddled the girls, but the boys certain took their share. Soon after that year, paddling was stopped in the Elementary School. Now it seems to be making a comeback. Fort Stockton, Texas, has opted to include paddling as a disciplinary method.
The decision was made in the spring to allow paddling. Public hearings were held and not one person complained. The Fort Stockton School Superinrendent, Roy Mayfield, stated “If a parent is concerned and does not want their child to get corporal punishment, then they need to take the responsibility to make sure that their child knows to behave when they go to school.”
Coporal punishment was allowed in the school district previously, with the parent’s permission. Now a wording change has taken place and the district does not have to ask in advance if the child can be paddled.
It is unfortunate that the school district has to resort to such methods. If parents actually had the discipline how to, this approach might not be necessary. Many parents have no method of discipline in their homes and this reflects in the child’s school behavior as well.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
In Vidor, TX a kid had a vertebra fractured during a paddling, (google it). Not only do they have the legal right to do this, some states also have legal immunity when children are injured. Parents don’t have to stand by and take this.
Schools can’t even keep our children safe from the sexual predators they hire (google it). The same ones that will be spanking your children.
Call your school, call your elected officials, email them, contact the PTA. This is your right as a parent. These are your children.Tell everyone. There are many groups online that will help you fight this type of barbaric legislation.
If adults do this to other adults they are charged with assault. If people do this to animals, they are charged with animal cruelty.
This school district for some reason chooses to physically and psychologically abuse children rather that adopt a positive discipline program that is working for schools.
No one will make my child bend over and offer their backside to someone to be hit by a wooden board. I will sue the hell out of them!
August 27th, 2008 at 11:33 am
RIGHT ON ! I agree with you 100%,Schools should not be in the abuse The children in thair care
August 27th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I am shocked! I can’t believe this is still going on today. I am not against spanking my own children but I draw the line when it is ANYONE else. I don’t think others can do it in the spirit of love which is necessary to ensure it doesn’t cross the line of abuse. I spank my children because sometimes that is the only way they will learn a lesson, not because I am mad at them. This is unreal.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
This is alarming! I got “swats” a couple of times in school in the “old days”. My wife teaches in an inner-city high school in MD. She would certainly agree with what you saying about parents needing to take responsibly to teach and discipline their own children.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Get the school to use the CANE, instead of the paddle — it stings more, but is less-likely to cause damage.
January 26th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
If people would set parameters for their children and not be afraid to follow through with punishment then schools wouldn’t have to resort to beating your children for you! It’s pathetic. People are too scared to spank their child so the schools in Texas are more than happy to do it for you.