Would you allow your childs school to spank them?

Question

I know that alot of schools nowdays do not allow corporal punishment anymore, but where I live alot of the schools still allow it. They send a letter home with the kids at the beginning of the year, asking if you will allow them to spank your child if they get into trouble, and you have to tell them yes or no. I have always said no, not because I am against spanking, but because I always felt that if my son needed a spanking, that it should come from me or my husband. I got a letter sent home a couple of weeks ago saying that my son had gotten 2 detentions (1 for not turning in homework one day and 1 for excessive talking). It asked if I wanted him to serve it before or after school, so I wrote before and sent it back to him. He was to serve it on Tues. and Thurs. mornings of that week. I got another letter day before yesterday that said he had been given 2 days of in school suspension, because he had not shown up at detention. I went in to talk to his principal, and was told that at the fourth grade level, they expect the kids to be responsible for serving their detentions, and that if they haven't served it within 2 weeks, they get a day of ISS. His principal said that my son was not a bad kid, but that it was just a way to teach them responsibility. She suggested that I change the form I filled out at the beginning of school, to allow them to spank him, because some children respond better to that than ISS. What would you do?

I actually have argued with my husband over this. I tend to agree with most of you guys. I don't need some stranger spanking my kid. If he needs it, then it is for me to do, not the school. My husband thinks that some kids need to be embarrassed by getting their rears busted at school, so that they will act right. I almost felt like the principal was trying to talk me into changing my mind.

Answer 1

I wouldn't. Not on the grounds of spanking itself, but on the grounds that my husband and I are the ones who should be determining the appropriate punishment for our kids in that respect. Detention is one thing, but I raise my own kids and would prefer to deal with all aspects of parenting myself. If my child ever gets suspended from school, you can bet I will be spanking him- and then grounding him.

Answer 2

NNNOOOOO!!! I would never let ANYONE hit my child. It's my job to determine if/when a spanking is necessary. I'm against spanking for the most part. Some kids really do need it but not by anyone other than their parents. By fourth grade a child is old enough to understand other forms of discipline. At this point spanking should be a LAST resort and only if your son doesn't respond to anything else. Even still you and his father should be the ONLY ones to do it, IF it is in fact necessary.

Answer 3

When I went to school kids were still paddled and I believe they still are in that school ( a Catholic all-girls school). Parents were not given the option. I am sure it was made known to them when they enrolled their child and if they didn't like it they could choose not to sign them up.

My parents had the rule if I was paddled at school I got another at home. And this happened three times.

Knowing that the paddle was a possibility was something that did cross my mind at times at school--and I know it did deter certain behavior.

I now live and teach in a state that does not allow school spanking--even in private schools. It is something I would like to have available (as both a parent and teacher). Even if it is not used that often--I think there needs to be an ultimate punishment hanging out there.

I do think you need to have some faith in the school. Number one is that they are not going to overdo it--both in how often is meted out and that it is not too severe. It should be given in private. I think it should have to be approved by the principal or vice-principal. And there should be a witness for both the student and teacher's protection. If there is not that kind of faith I would not permit it. But I think most of those criteria would be met by any schools that still paddle.

So Yes--I would allow my kids to be spanked at school--and if they were they would get a much worse one at home.

I do hope at the very least you give your son a good paddling at home. He needs it.

Answer 4

honestly, i wouldnt want my child to be spanked at school. im not saying spanking is completely wrong but people discipline their children in different ways and some people dont want their children spanked and the schools should find some other way of punishment

Answer 5

Don't change it. Spanking can be a good form of discipline. I know. My mother spanked me. And it worked. But, it's not a strangers place to spank your child. If detention or suspension aren't making a difference it may be up to you to discipline him. You probably know what will work better than anyone. Make sure he does his homework and serves his time. But if he doesn't, don't count on the school to change his behavior. It will be up to you.

Answer 6

the school i graduated from (it was K-12) used to allow that, until the government made a law against it. so they sent a note home 'suggesting' that the child be spanked at home

Answer 7

Not sure where you are from but I would agree with the fact of not allowing another outside parents to use this particular form of correction. However I would consider the approach that the man used in little men when trying to get through to boys and their attempts to push the limits. If a father thinks an *** warming is necessary have him and the school first view little men with Murial Hemingway. And let them make a choice to lead the way to acceptable behaviour.

Answer 8

I would never allow a school to spank my children as it is not their job or position to be spanking children, they should always call the parent to enforce behaviour disciplines.

Answer 9

I would not agree with that form. I would not sign it. I had my children and i will spank them, not a school...No way would i let a school hit my children. They are my kids...they are there to learn...If they are acting bad...send them to the principle plain and simple.

Answer 10

Nope no one in any school would EVER hit my child. I never used corporal punishment in my home and if a school official ever did that would be the last thing on this earth they would ever do. I am my child's parent and if something she did warrented MY disciplining her at home for something she did in school it would be MY job to do so. If she were to get suspended or expelled from school it would be MY job to discipline her for that. Not the schools. The school is not my child's parent.