An Indianapolis mother made her 9 or 10 year old son stand on a busy downtown intersection wearing a sign around his neck saying, "I was disrespective to my parents and to my school teacher.? She told him if he did it again she'd make him wear the same sign, but on Monument Circle, the center and really busy part of downtown Indianapolis, She stood with him while he wore the sign. Do you think this was too harsh?
2006-11-19 09:04:19 · 16 answers · asked by jorst 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
For a 9 yr. old, yes. For an older child like a teen or preteen, no.
2006-11-19 09:07:44 · answer #1 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it was too harsh. I don't think parenting is not about equal respect between parents and children. At the same time it is not about a parent being so vindictive and embarrassing a child either.
While I do not know the situation (how common disrespect was occurring) I wouldn't do this with my child. Why? Because, while I'm not going to be his/her friend--I will be kind to them and at least spare them public humiliation!
I feel that if it was an occurrence of disrespect it was probably the family's fault. Something was not functioning well in the family. Perhaps bad role-models, perhaps a lack of disrespect for the child, perhaps, a sibling rivalry. I don't know but I think if you focus on what your family is doing---not just the child you'll find exactly where the problem lies.
Parents won't take blame for mistakes anymore. The shame seems to be gone if your child turns out "disrespectful" or "rude." I feel many parents like blaming other things and people (media, school, or other life encounters) instead of looking at themselves.
I cannot believe a parent would make their child do this on their first "offense" of disrespect. This has to have been an on-going issue. I feel these parents chose humiliation and fear to rectify the situation instead of figuring out where the problem lies.
2006-11-20 00:31:33 · answer #2 · answered by .vato. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Punishment is to humiliate someone for what they did. Discipline means you use natural consequences to teach how your choices affect your outcome. Such as a disrespecting student may need to write a letter to a teacher stating what he did and how it was wrong. Or having him sit with her to talk about what he did and how it affected everyone involved. Also- if he was disrespecting to the parents well, then the parents may not want to give him privileges like video games, TV or playing out side.
But holding a sign while standing on a street, busy at that is not a natural consequence and sounds like punishment. Which only breeds anger, frustration and hate. Those feelings wont get you respect.
2006-11-19 20:12:16 · answer #3 · answered by jeweledfruit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it would depend on how severe the disrespect was. I think the punishment should fit the crime. So if he was outrageously disrespectfull than perhaps the punishment did fit the crime. If he was mildly disrespectful than perhaps it was too harsh. It certainly is a creative way to discipline a child, I don't think it would be as effective on a child that is older (preteen or early teenage years). It would be really interesting to find out if down the road this had the desired effect (preventing anymore disrespect) and if the mother regrets her decision or if given the chance, would she do it again.
2006-11-19 17:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by lolo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a good one. You know, we really can't tell if it was, what did he do? It must have been pretty bad. I can say as a parent of a repeat offender, that she probally already tried, the take away, spank, restriction, apology, and a lot of other methods, before taking this step. I hope it worked. For his sake. If it didn't there's always counseling.
2006-11-20 01:35:45 · answer #5 · answered by lilyvix2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's wrong, I remember reading about this, they are so young, I'm sure they will never forget that there mother did that to them, I think the mother may of wanted the attention!
2006-11-21 13:52:52 · answer #6 · answered by l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no this is not good discipline
1) it indangered the child
2) it is cruel
3) it is disrespective to the child
the mother needs to find a better way to discipline her child send him to his room, don't let him play with his toys or watch t.v. any thing is better then putting your child in danger like that
2006-11-19 17:14:51 · answer #7 · answered by funny girl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes i feel that was a little overboard for disapline on a child.
2006-11-19 17:07:21 · answer #8 · answered by TKKD 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is way to harsh and humiliating!
2006-11-19 17:12:16 · answer #9 · answered by Amelia:] 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humiliating, yes. But if he learned his lesson, I'd say it was well worth it.
2006-11-19 17:11:35 · answer #10 · answered by mms1575 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋