In a troubling incident from Texas, parents are outraged after learning that their 5-year-old son was paddled by his teacher as punishment for misbehavior—without their consent. It’s hard to believe that in 40% of Texas school districts, such corporal punishment can still be administered with parental permission. Seriously, Texas?
Jasmine Parker shared with news outlets that her son, Leo, was disciplined for allegedly sticking his tongue out at his teacher—a claim he firmly denies. Meadows Elementary School in DeSoto, Texas, permits corporal punishment, and they provide parents with forms to opt out when they enroll their children. Parker insists she filled out the necessary paperwork to refuse such treatment.
“Leo used to love going to school,” Parker said. “Now, he’s terrified. He’s just a child; he’s not a troublemaker. He’s a bright, good student.” Due to the incident, Parker has decided to homeschool her son, fearing for his emotional well-being after the paddling.
Parker is calling for an apology from the teacher, stating, “The school hasn’t been very helpful. Initially, I wanted the teacher fired, but at the very least, I believe an apology is necessary. Children need to feel heard.”
An apology? How about considering a more serious consequence? Physically striking someone—especially a child—should be termed assault, regardless of the setting. Why do children lose their rights to safety just because they are in a school that still practices such outdated forms of discipline?
The assistant superintendent acknowledged that the teachers involved did not check Parker’s opt-out forms before resorting to paddling Leo. “We must act in the best interest of all parties involved. Firing a teacher isn’t something we’re prepared to do,” she stated.
According to reports, teachers and principals in Texas may strike students up to three times on the buttocks or thighs using a wooden paddle, which can be as long as 15 inches. In some instances, these paddles are crafted from modified baseball bats. How is this still happening in our schools?
Without parental consent, such corporal punishment is essentially assault, a notion that feels completely abhorrent to even consider. In 2016, it’s shocking that a form exists that can strip away a child’s right to protection from physical harm. If Parker did not sign the form, the school had no right to impose this kind of punishment. Regardless of personal views on corporal punishment, we should unanimously agree that it cannot be enforced against a parent’s wishes.
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In summary, parents are rightly demanding accountability after their child was paddled without consent, highlighting the need for schools to respect parental rights and prioritize children’s safety and emotional well-being.
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