Just FYI. In the US, you are indeed allowed to use corporal punishment (spanking, beating, etc) on your own children. I know for a fact the the state of Florida even allows it as a discipline option for schools. In the US, you can legally spank a child as long as you don't leave any long-lasting marks. If their tush is a little red immediately after, your fine as long as it goes away in an hour or two. It is only considered child abuse if you leave bruises or worse.
The hippies have not won here. Also FYI, Dr. Spock, the psychologist who first suggested not spanking your children, is childless. His only son committed suicide.
The number 1 reason for the horrible education system in the US is the lack of accountability on the parents or the students. Being a teacher, I see this every day. If the child is not doing well academically or has behavior problems, its the teachers fault. Take that same child and ask the parents how much time they spend helping their kid with homework, or ask what discipline methods they use at home, and things become clear. I childs education happens at home just as much as at school, and if the parents are not involved, the child is going to fall behind.
My solution: This may sound extreme, but I honestly believe that children who are constantly having behavior problems, or who are having trouble keeping up academically should be kicked out of school. The code of conduct in practically every school district is way too lenient. This will put the responsibility on the parents. Once parents are in a position where the child is their problem for the whole day, I feel they will take the time to do what is necessary to get their child back on track. I think parents will start to see what they force the teachers to go through.
One last thing. ADD/ADHD is a joke. This diagnosis is overused by doctors. Yes, some children are, but the majority that have this label are not. If a child can sit through a 2 hour movie or play a video game all day they are NOT ADD. A more accurate diagnosis would be "child that lacks discipline"
Ben Fox
Kathleen Elementary
Lakeland Florida
Slashdot Mirror
I don't, but Jeb runs Florida and George used to run Texas, so it can't be that different.
Just FYI. In the US, you are indeed allowed to use corporal punishment (spanking, beating, etc) on your own children. I know for a fact the the state of Florida even allows it as a discipline option for schools. In the US, you can legally spank a child as long as you don't leave any long-lasting marks. If their tush is a little red immediately after, your fine as long as it goes away in an hour or two. It is only considered child abuse if you leave bruises or worse.
The hippies have not won here. Also FYI, Dr. Spock, the psychologist who first suggested not spanking your children, is childless. His only son committed suicide.
The number 1 reason for the horrible education system in the US is the lack of accountability on the parents or the students. Being a teacher, I see this every day. If the child is not doing well academically or has behavior problems, its the teachers fault. Take that same child and ask the parents how much time they spend helping their kid with homework, or ask what discipline methods they use at home, and things become clear. I childs education happens at home just as much as at school, and if the parents are not involved, the child is going to fall behind. My solution: This may sound extreme, but I honestly believe that children who are constantly having behavior problems, or who are having trouble keeping up academically should be kicked out of school. The code of conduct in practically every school district is way too lenient. This will put the responsibility on the parents. Once parents are in a position where the child is their problem for the whole day, I feel they will take the time to do what is necessary to get their child back on track. I think parents will start to see what they force the teachers to go through. One last thing. ADD/ADHD is a joke. This diagnosis is overused by doctors. Yes, some children are, but the majority that have this label are not. If a child can sit through a 2 hour movie or play a video game all day they are NOT ADD. A more accurate diagnosis would be "child that lacks discipline" Ben Fox Kathleen Elementary Lakeland Florida