Florida Principal Who Paddled Girl, 6, Was in the Right: Authorities

[Keesha]

I always knew monsters and sickos walk among us, and the OP confirms it.

It’s good that you are shocked and surprised.
That’s a normal healthy response. Unfortunately abuse like this happens often. It happens with parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, extra curricular sports teachers, counsellors, neighbours, family, acquaintances .... even
( apparent ) friends.

AND unfortunately there are adults who purposely seek out these types of roles ( extra curricular sports, Sunday school teachers etc) so they can do this. There’s already the needed trust from the children. After a while these children start thinking it’s normal treatment for bad kids and many kids don’t share due to shame. It’s a horrible thing to do to anyone but especially to those with young, growing minds who don’t know the difference.

 

[Sunny]

I didn't either. Was stunned to learn it's legal in 19 US states.

Me too. As far back as the 1950's, when I was teaching school, it was made clear to all teachers in NJ that corporal punishment was never allowed. That was a statewide law. Amazing that people are still getting away with doing it now!

As for parents physically punishing their own children, I think that would be a lot harder to stop. Who knows what goes on in someone else's home? But general attitudes can do a lot to influence people's behavior. If enough TV shows, newspaper articles, movies, etc. show the cruelty and futility of inflicting smacks on children, that behavior will become much rarer and will mostly stop.

A screaming 2-year-old, or a bratty, obnoxious 12-year-old can be hard to tolerate. People should be shown ways of dealing with that behavior without resorting to physical punishment against the child.

 

[dobielvr]

I remember in grammar school, if you got in trouble...you were threatened w/being sent to the principle's office.

And, that's where the paddle was. I'm pretty sure he was allowed to use it too. This was in the mid 60s.

 

[StarSong]

I remember in grammar school, if you got in trouble...you were threatened w/being sent to the principle's office.

And, that's where the paddle was. I'm pretty sure he was allowed to use it too. This was in the mid 60s.

I remember kids getting paddled in a NY elementary school. Thought it was barbaric then, and still do now.