Last week my ten-years-younger brother (he's 10, I'm 20) who is in the fifth grade was put in time out for an hour because some kid chased him with a freshly sharpened pencil threatening to stab him with it. When the kid caught my brother, he really did try to stab at him but, thankfully, my brother had on a very thick jacket so the pencil never pentrated. My brother retaliated and when the teachers saw this, they put both boys in time out for an hour. My parents and I congratulated my brother for standing up for himself and me and my mother will be having a very strongly worded talk with the teachers (and possibly the principal) about this event.
When asked why my brother was put in time out, the teacher said "he should have come to us instead of reatiliating. We had to punish him too". Do you agree with this? What are some things you would tell the teachers/principal? Do you agree with punishing both parties of a "fight" even though one started it because no one told the teacher?
2007-03-20 03:25:18 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
My brother and I have always been told by our parents that if someone started a fight with us and threw the first punch and we didn't fight back, we would get another butt-whooping when we got home. Which is something I truly agree with.
2007-03-20 03:26:42 · update #1
No, I dont agree with them...for the reason you stated and for many more. See http://www.newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel5.htm
I tell my four children to come to me before fighting, but if they are going to be hurt before they can get me, they should protect themselves. Just because someone has a teaching degree, does not mean their methods of discipline and character training are omniscient. This teacher taught the children that:
1. the instigator and the reactor deserve equal punishment (i would much rather be married, friends with, etc., a reactor than someone who spawns rottenness out of their own hearts)
2. if you are a bully, you will get off easier than you deserve. In his mind, he got away with it because his victim got the same punishment as he did.
3. if you are a victim...you're better off keeping quiet instead of getting in trouble for reacting
The public school system has an 'I'm ok, you're ok" philosophy that hurts the innocent children for the sake of not hurting the 'self-esteem' of the guilty perpetrator. Their bully programs are good for nothing because they dont use common sense. The bully who gets away with jabbing with sharp pencils when he is 10 years old is the bully who gets away with breaking someones jaw when he's 18 years old, and is the bully who gets away with abusing his wife/children when hes 30 years old. (And most likely these people will let him get away with it, because the bully has learned to pick out those people who were taught that it is NEVER right to fight back.) These bullies need to have the crap scared out of them and learn that there is AUTHORITY in life who will not let him terrorize the innocent.
2007-03-20 03:50:55 · answer #1 · answered by bloogirl777 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your parents did what they thought was best but in today's school systems, that information will only succeed in getting your brother in trouble, as you saw. Nearly every publc school has adapted a zero tolerance for physical violence of any type, for any reason. While I can understand why your brother struck out, he is old enough to know the school rules and my bet is the rule is "Get help. Hitting is never allowed." Your brother needs to know that there are other ways to stand up for himself instead of resorting to physical retaliation. Turning to an adult is one. He should have gone to the teacher as soon as the other student started the threats. Those were the rules..your brother didn't follow them..they both got punished. Both boys broke rules...both were punished...totally fair.
One more thing...schools aren't obsessed with being "fair" or happy all the time. They are obsessed with children's safety and to avoid litigation. Many of these rules that have come into play are in direct reaction of parents to issues such as Columbine (totally understandable) and to the many, many lawsuits and threats of lawsuits a school is faced with each year because parents feel the school didn't do enough to protect thier kids, wasn't fair when a child reacted, etc. The only way for schools to react is to take a zero tolerance stance on things like physical violence, bullying, sexual and racist remarks. They make the rules and then apply them without waivering or without allowances,,,it is one of the few disciplinary tools they have left.
2007-03-20 04:21:20 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My parents tell me that all the time. Anywho, teachers and principals today are too focused on "the safe side". Because they're so worried about people being perfect and everything going smoothly. Plus, "everybody has to feel happy and equal", according to these "authority figures".
In my humble opinion, the public school system is Dante's 3rd Ring Of Hell. period.
2007-03-20 03:31:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋