How's this for backwards: Which type of institution would you expect to allow the use of corporal punishment, prisons or public schools? If you guessed prisons, well, I have good news and bad news for you ... the good news is, you're probably a perfectly sane and logical human being.
The bad news is, you're wrong.
That's right, spanking in public schools is still allowed in -- get this -- 19 states. 19! 19 states in this here United States of America!
And it's a very lucky thing for me that I don't happen to live in any of those states, because if some teacher beat one of my kids with a wooden paddle -- parental consent is not generally required, by the way -- well, that would be a very bad day. Very bad things would happen. And I would not feel the least bit guilty about those very bad things.
Right about now you're probably wondering if you happen to live in any of those states. Here's the list:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Wyoming
If you're still reading this, I'm going to assume you live in a non-spanking state, because the rest of you are probably already on the way to your kid's school to make sure nobody's smacking him with a wooden paddle.
I honestly didn't think this kind of thing happened anymore. Sure, my mother and father got rapped on the knuckles with a ruler from time to time, but that was over 50 years ago and they had nuns for teachers. Maybe -- probably -- there are some parents out there who believe the occasional beating "keeps a kid in line" and trust teachers to be good and fair people. Which could explain why no one has ever put a stop to this practice.
But the time has come. This needs to end. Immediately.
Do you live in one of the 19 states that still allows spanking in schools?
Image via Desiree Williams/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 122
I live in mississippi. I will allow them to spank my daughter. Because if she mis-behaves badly enough to get a spanking then so be it. They have to call b4 they do it anyway, and if she gets in trouble to get a spanking and they have to call me or my husband and we have to leave work because of her behavior then she is going to get a spanking when we get home. So it wouldn't be much different than her discipline at home.
I'm in a major city in MO and it is not allowed here.
I can remember a couple of kids getting paddled when I was in grade school,and they SO deserved it! It's not allowed in Ca, anymore,which is a darn shame,now the kids get in trouble and they go to the principals office and get extra attention,what a bunch of baloney.
I am in WV, not on the list. But if I was I would sign the form. I do not BEAT my children. Every once in awhile they do however get a spanking. I am so sick of parents who are scared of the system. I called my local child abuse center and asked them about spanking. They told me as long as you use a open palm on the rear of your child that is perfectly fine!
I live in GA. I attended a private elementary school where the teachers were allowed to use a paddle on the students. Fortunately, parental consent was required. Fortunately, my parents did not give that consent. And most fortunately, I was well behaved enough to never need it. I also wouldn't consent to allow my child to be punished this way at school. I'd much rather receive a report on my child's behavior and I take care of business at home.