Corporal Punishment

It's not allowed anywhere I've ever been in the US.

I personally don't agree with the use of violence, ever, (it sets a REALLY bad example for how to solve problems) especially when it's up to the "discression" of a teacher. Last I checked there was no formal training on the "beating of a child"; lets see that course first so I know what I'm agreeing to.

I've heard the culture of "parenthood" on the island is quite different than what I'm used to & I don't think it's up to me or the government to say that should change; however if the schools are having difficulties with children, why don't they just suspend them? That always seemed to work well for my generation; the task of discipline then falls on the parrents who now have no choice but to deal with their children as they no longer are at school all week.

I'm not against it. I think it has it's place - just like any other tool. Our teachers face an up-hill battle as it is without tying their hands any further, especially given the lack of family structure prevalent in our society. But my opinion doesn't count as I've got no kids in school. Why not ask some teaches at Central what they really think? Of course it would be best to ask in a way where anonymity was guaranteed.

I grew up with rulers on knuckles and the threat of the leather strap. We were taught respect, in class, and at home. One teacher in my intermediate (middle school) used to walk the halls at lunch playfully slapping the strap against his leg. Bit extreme for sure, but fear can be a great motivator and you didn't step out of line in his class. You paid attention and learnt something whether you wanted to or not. He was very old school but his methods worked.

In the end being a mischievous sort, I learned to be very smart, choose my vices, and above all not get caught - Yea right!

But the same method didn't work later on. When in High School there was a mix of old school and newer P.C. teachers. The younger teachers sometimes had a hard time maintaining discipline as some of the real troublemakers learned how they could be played, knowing they could get away with more before the risk of severe punishment. Of course occasionally one of these guys would forget who's class they were in and end up with a real ass whooping. That mistake wasn't made too often.

And in those days, if you were punished at school, the parents would stand behind the teachers and likely dish out more of the same.

Unfortunately in today's nanny state the parent often takes an opposing side "it could never be my little angels fault" and the kids know it.

So maybe provide clearer guidelines/procedures, but I've got to disagree with Judy on this one. Don't handcuff our teachers please.

(PS> This belongs under the coconut tree)

violence begets violence

Good article in the Avis today.
I filled out the survey.
Thank you!

"it could never be my little angels fault"
(PS> This belongs under the coconut tree)

This is the problem. I also agree with the rest of what you said.

Corporal Punishment is still a matter of law in several States to name one "New Jersey" and it is legal, but not used in the Public School System by BOE policy. There are posters on this forum that can tell you why they pulled their child out of their public school system in STX and home schooled today because of the physical punishment and how it was applied.

Parents don't send their children to a school system to be slapped, punched, pushed, embarrassed, ridiculed, or bullied by another student or teacher. Their are times when physical restraint has to be used for the safety of the student and others but these cases are few and far between and should be well documented.

Teachers are better trained today to handle a disruptive influence in the classroom and most do a very good job. For those of you that have no children and no children in the current school system your opinion falls of deaf ears.

Why would I ever trust someone else to decide when it is appropriate to hit my child? Would you trust this same person acces to your bank account? My child is worth more to me than any other item in my life.

As a teacher in the public school system here, I can say that I know MANY teachers that use rulers, yard sticks, etc. for punishment. I refuse to touch a child, and do not believe that building a relationship with a child by beating them is the way to educate a child.

When I have called parents to discuss inappropriate behavior, their response is, "Just beat him! He'll get it together." Repeatedly, I have told parents that I would not touch their child, but asked for their assistance in finding a way to get their child to act appropriately. Too many times, I've been told that if I didn't want to beat their child, that it was my problem, and I would have to deal with the behavior.

I now have an after school detention program to try to curb behavior issues. Some of the children love it (because they don't have to go home and deal with "issues") and some of the parents abuse it (I'm their new babysitter), but it seems to be working. I would prefer if the parents would actually "parent", but this isn't always the case.

Well, I don't have any thing against hitting the parents.;)

Parents don't send their children to a school system to be slapped, punched, pushed, embarrassed, ridiculed, or bullied by another student or teacher. .

Of course they don't.

I think this statement is inconsistent with the discussion. We are exchanging opinions on is the proposal by a member of the senate to remove the ability for teaches to use physical force in disciplinary situations as permissible under the current law.

"slapped" - Permissible under current law. However this is where I think clear policy/procedure would go a long way. An unexpected sharp wrap over the knuckles with a ruler can be an effective wake up.
"punched" - The current law states open hand. Punching a student would be considered assault.
"embarrassed" - Yep any penalty for swearing at or threatening at a teacher or fellow student, destruction of property, or for that matter any activity disrupting the education of others should probably be embarrassing punishment.
"ridiculed" - nothing really to do with corporal punishment, more to do with the quality of teacher.
"bullied by another student" - again nothing to do with the application corporal punishment.
"or teacher" - Teachers can bullies. They have that power, but good teachers know not to use it in this manner.

The quality of a teacher can be measured by the quality of our youth, yet parents have a much bigger part to play in that too. I think the latter is affecting the former in a very negative way. But this is not a discussion on the deficiencies in our educational or social systems. It is on one specific issue.

Corporal Punishment is still a matter of law in several States to name one "New Jersey" and it is legal, but not used in the Public School System by BOE policy. There are posters on this forum that can tell you why they pulled their child out of their public school system in STX and home schooled today because of the physical punishment and how it was applied.

Parents don't send their children to a school system to be slapped, punched, pushed, embarrassed, ridiculed, or bullied by another student or teacher. Their are times when physical restraint has to be used for the safety of the student and others but these cases are few and far between and should be well documented.

Teachers are better trained today to handle a disruptive influence in the classroom and most do a very good job. For those of you that have no children and no children in the current school system your opinion falls of deaf ears.

Islanhops. a little out of context no. Try reading the post from a teacher in the system on this thread.

I have pulled my children out of the public school system because of the aggressive behavior displayed by staff and students. I
The USVI public school system is not the ideal environment for my children to learn.

If you have to hit anybody to get respect, you probably don't deserve any to begin with.

Hitting kids will only teach them that violence is acceptable and the behavior will continue into their adult lives.

If you have to hit anybody to get respect, you probably don't deserve any to begin with.

Hitting kids will only teach them that violence is acceptable and the behavior will continue into their adult lives.

Like!

No way. Me, my sister and 3 brothers grew up with rulers across the hands, belts and twitches from a cedar tree. None of us are violent! You know what we are? Respectful and responsible all college graduates all working and participating positively in society. We could argue the nature vs nurture until we're blue in the face but I believe in swatting or at LEAST disciplining kids. If you don't believe in the teachers carrying out discipline in your absence, then choose to home school... When the cats away the mice will play, applies here. I think teachers have the WORST job when it comes to bad kids who are neglected or not disciplined at home. They get no respect from the kids and get the blame from the parents.

No I don't have any kids and I choose NOT to. So feel free to ignore me on this one if you like. I have to listen to screaming children that are misbehaving and NOT being disciplined by their "parents" when they don't get a toy or candy that they clearly don't need. Go to the flea market on STT on a saturday and come back and tell me im right!!! those poor voluenteers. Children today are entitled brats. Maybe yours is an exception, but in the past 10 years I've seen a downward sprial in the parenting of many kids. Personally and this is MY opinion but its directly related to the CODDLING we do to these kids. I mean WTF, now we can't have a winner and a looser for a sports game because it will make them feel bad? Talking softly to them when they get in fights or have outbursts in school? Gimme a break! Maybe instead of corporal punishment they should dole it out to the parents?

I have 4 nieces one who is very spoiled and was getting way out of hand. About 5 months ago my sister had enough. She took away half her toys and she started getting spankings when she was being a brat. Let me tell you!!!!! That kid did a TOTAL 180!!! She is the sweetest and KINDEST kid now! I was actually shocked at her change in behavior in such a short ammount of time.

I have 4 nieces one who is very spoiled and was getting way out of hand. About 5 months ago my sister had enough. She took away half her toys and she started getting spankings when she was being a brat. Let me tell you!!!!! That kid did a TOTAL 180!!! She is the sweetest and KINDEST kid now! I was actually shocked at her change in behavior in such a short ammount of time.

I was never touched as a child, I'm respectful (and went to college, though I don't see what that has to do with it), helpful and considerate over all a very productive debt slave and tax paying citizen (plus I went to war and serve in the military (wasn't physically abused there either)). I also am against violence and am very good at non-violent conflict resolution.

Discipline has Z E R O todo with physical violence, physical violence is the lazy way out. In essence it uses pain to gain attention & forces a behavior instead of allowing the behavior to be chosen; yes it is a more involved process when you do not hit your child; it takes a bit more time.

But taking more time with children (or the lack there of actually) is the problem we are seeing today, the economy is structured in such a way that both parents need to work to support a family, we don't have as much actual time with children anymore.

children today are being raised by schools / TV as parents are working 40+ hour weeks and are not spending as much time with their children anymore; it's really a society issue (or economic).

I do have children (4 in my house right now), young children are an excellent lesson in Ego and patience, but they do not need to be hit to get results.

Anecdotal evidence, (I was hit and I'm fine) doesn't prove anything. Hitting is wrong and violence is a lazy way out.

I'm sure you'll teach them that buying illegal merchandise is ok thou right? Sorry couldn't resist. Uh oh did I just join club snarky?!? :-O

I'm sure you'll teach them that buying illegal merchandise is ok thou right? Sorry couldn't resist. Uh oh did I just join club snarky?!? :-O

haha, I wouldn't have passed that one up either if I were you 😉

Yup I'm still human, trying my best 😀

I've never bought those DVDs or downloaded anything illegal (because I don't know how) and am buying something on itunes as I type this. lol

There is a huge difference between buying illegal DVDs and hitting children, although I can see the connection of the message.

... Uh oh did I just join club snarky?!? :-O

Being in agreement with one of my positions, as evident above, qualifies you for the "friends of club snarky" program. The above comment might just get you probationary membership, although the creative literary value falls a little short of our expectations. We'll discuss this next time all the officers gather around the big table with the carved insignia to discuss club business.

i agree with aanda on this, children today are much ruder and more disrespectful than they have ever been and i think it is due to a lack of discipline. always trying to make the kid feel like everything they do is right and that there never is a looser. someone has to loose and someone has to win and life is not fair-kids just dont know that these days.

OMG you guys rock. LF hilarious! I like you simply because you can laugh at yourself. Me too!

Jameson - I think you're awesome regardless if we differ on one subject or another. I think you're the cats pajamas. . 😉

Islands hops - LMFAO. Seriously nicely done sir.

Speedy - THANKS! Let me tell you.....ohhhhhhh.... I had a tour today with some spoiled kids!!! After poking me in the back of the head with a pool noodle for a 30 min drive into town and whining about EVERYTHING today, I still rest my case. Sheese! I cant even tell you guys... mom was like ok honey play nice... after one of the kids POURED sand INTO my car window jamming the motor!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHHAHA.

Side note - lots of fireball and beers ensued at dog house pub before this post. Love all my fellow islanders 😀

Also I would like to say that if any of you are the guy at doghouse that I TOTALLY MacGyver-ed a pool Q with a coors light ciggy bucket handle to unlock a car (keys inside) Thanks for the drinks! Sometimes it just take a woman....... AAAHHHHOOOOO! Night STT 😀

The corporal punishment ban bill is coming up in less than a month. I think there was someone here that had a bad experience with corporal punishment in a school.Please PM, I need info for the committee hearing.