I read two article this morning over spanking children and learned the following:
- It’s is also called corporal punishment. When I think of corporal punishment, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t spanking, but prison.
- Boys get spanked more than girls
- Minorities and special education students are most likely to get spanked.
- Texas and Mississippi leads the nation in spanking. (Somewhat related thought: Mississippi is one fun state to spell.)
- Dallas has banned spanking.
- Spanking is banned in 29 states.
- More than 100 countries and all of Europe has banned spanking in schools.
Thoughts/Observations on spanking:
- I was spanked on my very first day of kindergarten by my teacher. I actually repeated that grade with the same teacher, and I think I started when I was a little under five years of age, but I’m not sure.   Oddly enough, I have nothing but good memories of that teacher. The irony is that I’m now married to a kindergarten teacher.
- Whent the lunchroom got too loud, the principal at our elementary school use to walk around with a paddle, he later became president of Weatherford College.
- I remember coaches use to use a paddle that had holes drilled in it so it would move through the air faster. I don’t recall that paddle ever being used, I think it was just for intimidation.
- During premarital counseling my pastor (and father of one of my very close friends) gave us an example of when couples may not have the same ideas when it comes to raising (or is it rearing?) a child. His son (my friend) and his wife had a child. The child did something wrong, and his father spanked him. His wife was never spanked and was very against the issue and promptly told her husband he was abusing her child.
That marrying a Kindergarten teacher might need more exploring…
First……I am surprised that one of the 2 articles was not found in the Tyler paper. “CP” was an issue before the school board last evening.
Second….In whatever punishment is used two things must be understood. My comments are too long for this space. If interested check out ETCJ……my entry for today!
While I was never spanked in school, I was brought up in a family where spanking was used as a form of punishment. Never with any objects, other than the hands and the occasional belt (lightly!) when the hand didn’t do it. My parents had the ideology that if they used their hand, it typically stung them worse than it hurt us, and they knew how hard they were swatting us.
While there obviously are limits, and there is, unfortunately child abusers out there, I don’t think that it’s any of the government’s business how I choose to discipline my children (non-existant at the moment…).
Of course, I don’t think I agree with having teachers being able to touch my (non-existant) children in any way, shape or form, other than an encouraging pat on the back or hug…Teachers are there to teach and lead, not to raise your children for you.
I do however agree with the sd in Texas that is allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons. Just by them saying that they’re allowed to (under certain guidelines) will prevent anything from happening in the schools.
As Bill Cosby says, “Let the beatings begin!”
Bone
out.
Rumor has it you’re still getting spanked by the kindergarten teacher?