There Should Be Tougher Penalties on Brats
Frankly, I have to say if a parent doesn’t believe in tough penalties or punishment they should keep their child O-U-T of public schools.
A few weeks ago a little twit in my son’s class spit in his teachers coffee cup. The teacher didn’t find out until TWO days later! The kid was suspended for a week?!?! - The kid should have been expelled or sent to the hill (juvenile corrections).
That’s the most disgusting act I’ve heard of! And had I been the teacher, I’d have likely lost my teaching license because of the retaliation I would have unleashed on that child.
In recent news - A New York state judge stands behind a school superintendent who suspended a student for giving a teacher “noogies” on two occasions when she allegedly asked him to stop. (hat tip: Kelly)
Bravo Judge! Hold the delinquents accountable! Make’m learn early that there ARE tough consequences for bad actions even if mommy and daddy say there isn’t.
Lastly, I have a son who suffers from severe depression and low self esteem. He has a lot of freckles and is no longer buying my story that they are angel kisses. His antidepressants have caused him to gain a bit of weight to where he’s a little uncomfortable about his body. While in class, a girl snuck up behind him and lifted his shirt up over his head. Since then, kids have been making fun of him something terrible.
I believe what that girl did was sexual harassment. Had that been my son doing that to the girl - he would have been sent straight to the hill, no questions asked.
Although I’m uncertain of what the penalty toward her might be - my son refuses to turn her in. He claims everyone would tease him about being a nark and that would be worse then the teasing he’s getting now.
I’m trying to teach him that it’s his right and obligation, as a student in that school, to turn the girl in. What she’s done is wrong and she needs to be punished accordingly or she’ll keep harassing kids and making others lives miserable.
Time For You To Sound Off:
Do you think there should be tougher penalties on kids who bully, tease and basically make other kids lives hell?
What about my son who is the victim of blatant sexual harassment? Should urge him to report the girl or allow me to or is he right in wanting to let it go?
(image: stock.xchg)
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POSTED IN: Parenting
7 opinions for There Should Be Tougher Penalties on Brats
Ashley S.
May 20, 2008 at 9:16 am
There shouldn’t be a double standard with sexual harrassment - she did it to embarrase and degrade him..
How awful for him.. Sometimes, we look back on childhood with rose colored glasses..but, some parts of it are so heartbreaking and difficult to overcome.
If a teacher had seen it happen - that teacher should have disciplined the girl..she definately deserves it, but your son doesn’t deserve anymore embarassing spotlight and that’s exactly what he’ll get if he (or you) tries to take action at this point.
Sad to say, I think he’s right in simply letting it go..
kadi
May 20, 2008 at 9:32 am
Funny you should write about this topic. I just did a post on my blog about childhood bullies/enemies. The responses were touching and eye opening. It is crazy how adults still hold on to the hurt that others caused them as children.
It does more damage than any of us realize, especially kids. There should be way tougher action taken towards kids who feel it is okay to make other’s lives hell. Even a small action, done with evil intentions, could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Kids need to be taught to have more compassion…and be afraid of what will happen if they choose to be evil or malicious!
kadi
May 20, 2008 at 9:36 am
P.S.
I think that your son is old enough to choose the right action to take, in this case. It may be hard to let him do it, but he needs to spread his wings. However, if you see that his behavior or mood takes a sharp turn and plunges toward a depressed state, then maybe talk to him about writing an anonymous letter to the principal. You can maybe say that you were a witness to the event. I dunno. I’m not good at this stuff. Mine are still too young.
Lisa Marie Mary
May 20, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Oh man, Gayla - our boys sound very similar! Mine eggs on a lot of the riffing that he gets, though. Which leaves me in a particularly tricky place. Ugh. I do think it should be left up to your son, though - the backlash from ‘tattling’ could be more severe than anything he’s experienced thus far.
The hierarchy and societal rules of high school, in boy language - OMG! I’m so overwhelmed at times with it all!
I’m thinking of making a post on the topic, will let you know if I do.
marye
May 20, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Kids are mean.
My kids aren’t in school but a couple have been subjected to that type of stuff at CHURCH. Geez.
I agree with Kadi- he is big enough to decide for himself..if you take away his control (what little he may have) you will emasculate him.
Gayla McCord
May 20, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Lisa - please do keep me posted. This is truly a tough topic.
I do realize that it’s up to my son to make this decision, but dammit - I want to smack that little girl silly.
I will find a way to get her. Typically I act at our local town fair. I sit, watch, wait and them move in in some unsuspecting way to completely embarrass them in public. Then let them know that’s to make up for what they had done.
It’s worked a couple of times and the bully has wound up being good friends with the kids.
Somehow just knowing what it feels like makes others much more human.
kadi
May 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Whoa, I’d hate to get on your shit list, Gayla!
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