Want to settle a debate for me?

JayandJack

A guy at my office posted this article. While I think there has to be more to it he keeps bringing up one point.

Why do private schools have the right to paddle (or whatever it's called) a child and public schools does not?

Why did this lady get in trouble for spanking her kid when some private schools have the right to paddle? Is the difference simply a permision slip when the child enters a private school?

ali-1411

Haven't read it yet, but some public schools can paddle.  There was controversy this year because Temple ISD brought back paddling as a form of punishment.  I have no idea if they've used it at all, but it was in the papers last August.

HSartteach

I believe some public schools still do have the right for corporal punishment, but I believe there has to be permission from the parent to do so.

HSartteach

I read the article.  Too short.  There has to be more to it because many parents still spank and it seems to me that they are not getting cps called and as a result getting probation.

ali-1411

Ok, I read it. 

I agree with you, there must be more to the story.  But for the debate...I think your man has a point.  It doesn't make any sense that a parent can't spank their child but schools legally can. 

The only rational thing I can think of it that article is extremely far off the mark, the mother did not just spank her child but there was clear abuse going on.

HSartteach

maybe age is a factor as well? 

amyliisa

I read that last week, and in my opinion there has to be way more to the story.  Without going into too much detail, the main reason I think this, is because the mom pled guilty to the felony charge.  What defense attorney would agree to let his/her client plead guilty to the felony, if the only thing she did was "swat" her child on the bottom?  Had she pled not guilty, and had a jury trial, she VERY likely would not have been convicted if all she did was "swat" her child and "leave a red mark" that had dissipated by the time the cops arrived.  If for some reason she did get convicted by a jury, she would be able to appeal the conviction, and the case likely would go all the way to the Supreme Court and make for some very interesting case law.  But she pled guilty, so she can't do that.  So I think she and her attorney must have felt she was guilty of the felony charge, and the media didn't get all the information, or chose not to report all the information, in order to fire up public opinion like it has.

 

MrsAJL

Is your friend comparing the actions of private citizens to those of private schools?  These issues are separate.

Allowing paddling in public schools is left up to the districts. IF the district decides to use CP, then permission must be given in writing by the parent.  Private scools are not governed by the state board of education, but the must be acredited. CP is allowed in private schools as long as it does not violate the law.

A parent may spank their child. If the situation raises concern and CPS is called to get involved, then an investigation is opened. If there is enough evidence to warrant action taken by the court, then that's what comes next.  The mom's actions in this article have nothing to do with why some schools paddle their students and why some don't.

kiarox2002

Disclaimer: I am very anti-spanking. 

That being said, I do not think that a simple spanking justifies having your children taken away although I can see the value in having the mom take some classes in parenting so that she could learn some different discipline strategies.

I'm thinking that there has to be something more to the story since the grandma took the kid to the hospital.  Also, does a simple spanking leave marks?  I think that's supposed to be one of the things you look for as an indicator of abuse, but it's been a few years since I took my teacher child abuse training class.

I am sad for the toddler.  

Schools can allow spanking if there is a signed parent permission slip.  I'm pretty sure that most don't. 

Jess.O

I didn't read all the other responses so sorry if this is repetitive.  It's not against the law for schools to paddle.  It's a decision that's made by the district, it must be in the code of conduct and the corporal punishment must be permitted by the parents.  Most districts choose not to do this because even if it's in the code of conduct, there is always the possibility that someone will claim they crossed a line when doing it.

As far as the article, I think there's more to it.  If it was a simple swat, then I don't believe this could have happened. 

MnMShaw

CPS doesn't take away children for "red marks" and law enforcement doesn't arrest parents for that either.  Full on bruises on a TWO year old, absolutely.  My guess is that it was bruises and not red marks.  I also didn't see (or maybe I missed) anyone really commenting on the child's age.  There is a big difference in spanking a 10 year old vs. a 2 year old, but again CPS isn't going to take away your children for "red marks".  It is not against the law to spank your children in Texas but the moment you leave bruises on them you can be arrested for injury to a child. 

SaraLouiseBride08

I agree with AmyLiisa ... she pled guilty to a felony. There's more to the story. It seems obvious to me that it's not a situation of, "Why can't this Mom spank her child when other parents, and even schools, are allowed to?"