SHOULD THIS PRACTICE CONTINUE OR END AT SCHOOL?
A debate about spanking left lawmakers with a tough decision Wednesday. The move to stop corporal punishment in schools didn’t make it out of a house committee.
Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton pleaded with the House Education Committee to move her anti-spanking bill to the full house.
Representative Norton wants to end corporal punishment in schools.
“If it was only about just paddling, just paddling this would be ok,” said Norton. “But I really don’t understand why is it that it is so important that we continue to whip children.”
Baton Rouge Republican Richardson took exception with Norton’s bill. He believes if schools go overboard, then the police can get involved.
“Did you say criminal charges were filed?” asked Richardson. “Absolutely they went to the police,” Norton said. “Well isn’t that a remedy for that situation, instead of banning them?” he asked. “Well you should we have to have a remedy?” she said. “Because you asked me so let me answer it.” “Come on answer it,” said Richardson. “I’m gonna answer it if you let me,” replied Norton. “I will,” he said. “Thank you very much,” she said.
The committee approved a number of amendments that would virtually gut the bill’s intent. They also added some state-wide rules around corporal punishment.
The vote did not pass, but was closer this year than the last. The measure failed to get out of committee by two votes.
Banning corporal punishment is schools is a remedy for chaos in schools, numerous disciplinary problems, and uncontrolled classrooms. Paddling students forces them to behave, and creates and environment where teachers can do their job. Paddling is not whipping. Please dont confuse the issue by calling paddling ‘whipping’. Students are terrified of the paddle and that is plenty to keep them in line.
There are numerous schools, both urban and suburban, where kids are out of control as a direct result of banning traditional disciplinary methods like paddling. It’s time to get discipline back into schools. It is extremely detrimental to students and their future careers for them not to learn discipline. Adults are failing children by not running schools with discipline. Please lets reverse this trend.