AN URGENT MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT
Dear President Obama,
We are writing to alert you to a gross and unconscionable violation of schoolchildren's fundamental human rights. The practice to which we refer is universally condemned by recognized leaders in the fields of pedagogy and psychology. Nevertheless, it is widespread, and those with the authority to correct it either are unaware of the problem, or pretend to be unaware.
The United States is the only Western industrialized democracy that permits schoolchildren to be punished by being battered on the buttocks with a wooden board. This practice, known as "paddling," is legal in 21 states, and occurs approximately 1/4 million times per year. Such blatant child abuse has many well-documented negative effects, and no benefits. It is one of the causes of the high rate of drop-out that afflicts public schools in paddling states. It promotes violence by modeling violence. It signals its users' incompetence. The time is past due for all educators to be held to a higher standard of professionalism -- one that guarantees a safe, nurturing, violence-free environment to every schoolchild.
We, the undersigned, demand the immediate abolition of corporal punishment in U S public schools.
Please read related: "An Open Letter to President Obama From Children's Rights Advocates" at www.thehittingstopshere.com/letter2obama.htm
The momentum behind this initiative has grown into a powerful testament to our collective commitment to student safety. This level of public attention confirms that the practice of corporal punishment in our schools no longer aligns with the values of a modern society.
October 1, 2009
I have been reviewing the accounts of those who continue to share their experiences with school-based violence. The patterns described in these testimonies confirm that immediate federal intervention is necessary to protect our children.
Reached 100 supporters
January 5, 2009
38 Comments
L
Lorraine Cange
9 years ago
Featured
I was paddled as a child and experienced violent behavior by teachers and adults as a child. Corporal punishment does not solve a problem, it creates a cyclical problem and should be banned in all American schools.
S
stacie vandenberge Ece educator
9 years ago
Featured
positive child discipline .all children, at home or school ,no excuse for violence towards a child. I have over twenty years exp.in the early childhood field. I am a strong advocate of positive discipline and teach parents to understand their child'sdevelopment (ages and stages.Positive discipline teaches empathy,respect and selfdiscipline.
L
Laurie Fuchs
10 years ago
Featured
It is truly unconscionable that the US in the only western country that allows children to be beaten in school. We have laws protecting prisioners and animals, but not children?? How can the federal government allow this to continue despite all of the studies and documentation showing the harmful effects of this type abuse. If teachers and administrators can not control students without beating them, they should be removed from there positions as they are clearly not effective educators.
A
Amanda Pierson
10 years ago
Featured
I should not have to hear my child say 'Mommy I'm scared to go to kindergarten' This is rediculous. You force parents to take their kids to school which at the same time is forcing them to put their child's rights and mental and physical health in jeopardy. Insane.
T
Timothy Robert Carrington
3 months ago
Corporal punishments all fall under the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Bill of Rights and must be abolished permanently!
I
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4 years ago
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hydroxychloroquine 200mg
4 years ago
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AN URGENT MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT
Dear President Obama,
We are writing to alert you to a gross and unconscionable violation of schoolchildren's fundamental human rights. The practice to which we refer is universally condemned by recognized leaders in the fields of pedagogy and psychology. Nevertheless, it is widespread, and those with the authority to correct it either are unaware of the problem, or pretend to be unaware.
The United States is the only Western industrialized democracy that permits schoolchildren to be punished by being battered on the buttocks with a wooden board. This practice, known as "paddling," is legal in 21 states, and occurs approximately 1/4 million times per year. Such blatant child abuse has many well-documented negative effects, and no benefits. It is one of the causes of the high rate of drop-out that afflicts public schools in paddling states. It promotes violence by modeling violence. It signals its users' incompetence. The time is past due for all educators to be held to a higher standard of professionalism -- one that guarantees a safe, nurturing, violence-free environment to every schoolchild.
We, the undersigned, demand the immediate abolition of corporal punishment in U S public schools.
Please read related: "An Open Letter to President Obama From Children's Rights Advocates" at www.thehittingstopshere.com/letter2obama.htm
The momentum behind this initiative has grown into a powerful testament to our collective commitment to student safety. This level of public attention confirms that the practice of corporal punishment in our schools no longer aligns with the values of a modern society.
October 1, 2009
I have been reviewing the accounts of those who continue to share their experiences with school-based violence. The patterns described in these testimonies confirm that immediate federal intervention is necessary to protect our children.
Reached 100 supporters
January 5, 2009
38 Comments
L
Lorraine Cange
9 years ago
Featured
I was paddled as a child and experienced violent behavior by teachers and adults as a child. Corporal punishment does not solve a problem, it creates a cyclical problem and should be banned in all American schools.
S
stacie vandenberge Ece educator
9 years ago
Featured
positive child discipline .all children, at home or school ,no excuse for violence towards a child. I have over twenty years exp.in the early childhood field. I am a strong advocate of positive discipline and teach parents to understand their child'sdevelopment (ages and stages.Positive discipline teaches empathy,respect and selfdiscipline.
L
Laurie Fuchs
10 years ago
Featured
It is truly unconscionable that the US in the only western country that allows children to be beaten in school. We have laws protecting prisioners and animals, but not children?? How can the federal government allow this to continue despite all of the studies and documentation showing the harmful effects of this type abuse. If teachers and administrators can not control students without beating them, they should be removed from there positions as they are clearly not effective educators.
A
Amanda Pierson
10 years ago
Featured
I should not have to hear my child say 'Mommy I'm scared to go to kindergarten' This is rediculous. You force parents to take their kids to school which at the same time is forcing them to put their child's rights and mental and physical health in jeopardy. Insane.
T
Timothy Robert Carrington
3 months ago
Corporal punishments all fall under the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Bill of Rights and must be abolished permanently!
I
insalttaf
4 years ago
can you buy stromectol over the counter
H
hydroxychloroquine 200mg
4 years ago
is chloroquine a sulfa drug https://chloroquineorigin.com/# lupus wikipedia english
I was paddled as a child and experienced violent behavior by teachers and adults as a child. Corporal punishment does not solve a problem, it creates a cyclical problem and should be banned in all American schools.