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5yr old handcuffed


Sudo
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I'd have to put this in the catagory of "Just what are you going to do?". Click on the link HERE!~ There's a free video, too.

People are taking sides. What's your take?? I felt dismay that it has come to this. When I was that age, my teachers would have jerked me down to the principal's office where I would have had a good hard paddling. My parents would have been told and I would have gotten another dose when I got home. I wouldn't have done it again. But those days are long gone and aren't coming back in our lifetime because all the "experts" now say corporal punishment traumatizes, teaches that violence (against and by) children is acceptable, is immoral and uncivilized.

With paddling banned what do you do when you have children throwing temper tantrums? In this school district it appears the teachers take a LOT of time trying to reason with the child. After that, they call the police.

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If she were in my special ed. classroom years ago...I would have restrained her after her first strike at me. That is UNACCEPTABLE.

No paddling...just restraining on the floor til she calmed down and her mother came to get her out of there.

That is, or was in my teaching time, the correct response.

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P.S. Then I'd send her and her mother to therapy, because what that little girl did for what, 23 minutes? ...says there is a much deeper problem inside.

Lots of family problems, I presume...i.e. too much tv, neglect, copycatting inappropriate behaviors at home, physical abuse, emotional abuse...mom/dad acting out similar irrate behaviors...

Could be a mirade of problems...not for me to say.

I think, in a regular classroom, most regular teachers are ill equipped and inexperienced to handle problem children like this one.

Hence...they called the police...makes sense to me, but, I woulda had her on the floor after her first incident with me.

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Let me add another choice...

It's the parents fault.

They are responsible for the way the child is raised.

The parents are responsible for allowing the child for thinking that her behavior is acceptable.

The parents are responsible for teaching good manners.

IMO, the board of education should think about having parents pay fines for when there child mis-behaves.

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I was just watching this video this morning and the lawyer for the Mother was talking in the background (same deal as Rodney King -telling us we really aren't seeing what we are seeing). A couple of the things he said did make some sense. At times it almost looks like the educator is egging it on, by putting her back down after she had her pretty firmly being held.

Also, at the time the police walked in the child was sitting calmly. This is in the video. Then the police approach her and begin to handcuff her and she begins to scream "No" and is very frightened by what they are doing. Come on what 5 year old wouldn't be scared. As the police cuff her they are heard on the video saying to the little girl, that she knows what handcuffs are and how they have had to deal with her mother in handcuffs when called to her house. A couple of references obviously from the cops being called to this child's house a few times. This to a 5 year old??

This is absolutely the fault of the parent and our society nowadays that teaches that personal responsibility is no longer our responsibility. Blame is the name of the game nowadays. Never take personal responsibility.

Anyways, the one person I do not blame for this fiasco is the little girl.

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Did anybody hear that story in Texas where the mother calls the dispatcher and tells him that her 12-year old daughter is being unruly. In a jesting way the dispatcher said: "What do you want us to do mam, come over and shoot her".

Well the mother was outraged and told the dispatcher that she wanted his name and was going to report him. He stated that he understood and that she should.

Anyways, since the court has taken away our rights as parents to discipline, then we now call the cops every time our children misbehave.

I would like to tell some of these judges to take some of these kids THEY HAVE CREATED with their rulings and raise them for awhile.

I don't know, a good whoopin' always made me change my attitude. Our parents meant business.

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Sorry, but I don't accept the conservative sounding "we now live in a 'politically correct society' so we can't do nuthin' except let the little girl throw a tantrum" party line in this instance. Sure the little girl was throwing a tantrum and hitting the teacher, but come *on*. Her blows weren't doing any damage whatsoever.

And as outofdafog noted, the girl was calm *before* Officer Tackleberry threw the cuffs on her. icon_rolleyes.gif:rolleyes:--> And they wanted to hold the girl overnight and charge her fer crying out loud! It's political correctness all right, ... from the other side!

The parents are indeed at fault for not disciplining the girl to not behave like that, but they did call it right in coming down on the school, because the school overreacted.

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The first place to start is with a full physical of the child. I've seen all kinds of tantrum-like behavior result from things as "simple" as low blood sugar!

A full physical would include brain scans to ensure there is no underlying problem there.

Those of you who say that a 5 year old girl cannot inflict damage in such a tantrum have never dealt with such a child.

Blame the parents; blame the teacher; blame the child; blame the police....why?

All we know is that short segment the media released to us. It should probably never have been released -- why should all the individuals now be hung out to dry?

It would have been better, perhaps, if the police had some other restraining device...wrap the girl in a small rug or blanket...even a straight jacket...but given what they had to work with....they did OK.

Which one of you 200 lb people would like to pick up this out of control child and carry her safely to the nearest exit? She was flailing around so much that if someone had....and she happened to break her arm flailing against a door jam or such other item....the police would be sued for causing bodily injury!

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Boy, this is a tough one.

I've always seen corporal punishment in schools as a two-edged sword. It was legal when I was a kid, and although it sometimes kept the more unruly kids in line, I also saw it abused and overused by some teachers. Given that teachers are only human and can range from firm but fair to bullying and sadistic, I don't think I want to return that right to teachers.

(I'm not ambivalent about spanking one's own children. Although some parents abuse it, most parents who spank do not beat their children or cause them harm, IMO.)

Krys has wise words about the child needing a physical exam. The family should have counseling, too; perhaps there are events taking place at home that are causing her to get so angry and lash out. It could be something serious, like her mother being beaten by a boyfriend, or something as simple as having to share a room with a new sibling who keeps her up all night.

If I'd been a teacher dealing with that child, rather than calling the police (good Lord!), I'd have locked the child in an empty room with nothing but a pillow to sit on and called the mother to come get her.

I can't imagine how frightening it must have been to a 5-year-old to be handcuffed and put in a police car. I'm all for some of that "scared straight" approach, but that seems over the top to me.

What's with Florida, anyhow? Some of the most bizarre news comes out of that state!

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The police should not have been called. If a group of adults, supposedly college-educated professionals, trained in elementary education and administration of elementary schools, can't control such an easily-handled situation as one 5-year-old child throwing a tantrum, then they have no business teaching or overseeing children, even as babysitters. I don't see that the question of spanking even enters into this, but people that incompetent have no business spanking anyone.

I agree with Wacky about restraining, but not on the floor. I'd simply pick the child up, sit down in a chair and hold her in my lap, with her back to me and her legs parallel to mine, or slightly to one side. I'd pin her arms to her sides, by wrapping my arms around her. I'd then quietly say to her that nobody was going anywhere until she calmed down. I'd repeat that every so often, until she did calm down. Before letting her go completely, I'd ask her if she could remain calm and quiet, and test her by first relaxing my hold on her, before releasing it entirely. If she started up again, I'd go through the same process, but not release her quite so quickly and not without telling her that if she started up again, I'd do the same thing.

You can't even get to matters of teaching, counseling, medical examinations, or discipline until after establishing that unrestrained tantrums will not happen.

That said, I'd say that the police handled the matter improperly as well. They shouldn't have been called at all, but once they got there, they should have told the school to handle it themselves.

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krysilis:

"The first place to start is with a full physical of the child. ..."

I agree.

"A full physical would include brain scans to ensure there is no underlying problem there."

And more, I have seen children with genetic dis-orders that only a shrink could diagnose. [On the other hand, sometimes far too many kids get diagnosed with things, so there is room for balance.]

"Those of you who say that a 5 year old girl cannot inflict damage in such a tantrum have never dealt with such a child."

I agree. At what age do we suddenly say that such a child is now capable of doing wrong?

5? 7? 9?

An 8 year old can be a sexual predator. Granted within that context they are only a threat to smaller children [or adults who are incapable of defending themselves], but still.

"Blame the parents; blame the teacher; blame the child; blame the police....why?"

If there is a biological problem then you cant really blame the parents too much.

Teachers are not trained to recognize many of these conditions, and besides they are too busy.

Police respond when they have been called [not un-like puppys].

Besides hand-cuffing does not hurt [unless you fight it], it may be frightening. Hand-cuffs are used to protect everyone.

"It would have been better, perhaps, if the police had some other restraining device...wrap the girl in a small rug or blanket...even a straight jacket...but given what they had to work with....they did OK."

NO, NO, NO, State Social Services departments have long recognized 'wrapping' or even tight holding as a form of specialized therapy, and you need an MD behind your name to do it with a child.

One of our alligations of abuse centered on tying the arms of a large jacket around behind the children. Even though to the chidlren it was a game, they readily admited that they had been 'tied-up', and the investigatoin began ...

"Which one of you 200 lb people would like to pick up this out of control child and carry her safely to the nearest exit? She was flailing around so much that if someone had....and she happened to break her arm flailing against a door jam or such other item....the police would be sued for causing bodily injury!"

I agree.

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Once the police arrived at the school they become the primary authority which means they were/are responsible for what happened next. I'd guess someone called 911 and said we have an out of control child hitting a teacher and 911 dispatched the police. I don't know the details but it would surprise me if they didn't dispatch paramedics next.

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Linda Z:

"If I'd been a teacher dealing with that child, rather than calling the police (good Lord!)"

No doubt this was following the School District's policy, as set by the administrator, and not really the teacher's decision.

" ... I'd have locked the child in an empty room ..."

And away to prison you would have gone.

" ... with nothing but a pillow to sit on and called the mother to come get her."

And it oftens takes until an hour after the end of school to even get a parent or guardian to respond to the school.

"I can't imagine how frightening it must have been to a 5-year-old to be handcuffed and put in a police car. I'm all for some of that "scared straight" approach, but that seems over the top to me."

Uhh?

I have seen children given a garbage bag and told to put anything that is really important to them in it, as they are removed from their home. This is how Children's services Case-workers do it.

I have even volunteered suit-cases, but was written-up for suggesting it. By State policy it must be as 'De-Humanizing' as possible. To communicate to the child that they are trash [at least that is the policy of Connecticut].

And if the reasoning the child is being removed included anything that the child may have done, it is common for the police to do the actual 'handling' of the child, once the child has loaded a garbage bag. So even though a case-worker is there and over-seeing the process, a police officer will still hand-cuff the child.

:-)

As a foster-parent, this has happened in my home, with foster-children. the youngest that I have seen was a 6year old boy.

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I could never be a teacher. If someone else's kid came up and started hitting me, I'd want to throw it across the room and through a window.

However, knowing me, if it were my own (hypothetical) kid, I'd probably spoil it and make it bad like that kid was anyway...

It's a good thing I'm not going to be a father anytime soon. :-)

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This is a very interesting case. First, there were cameras recording the "teachers" in the classroom. This little girl was in a classroom with two teachers and that is all that was shown as far as people present in the classroom. This is interesting because it seems like a well thought out plan.

Second, an interview with the mother shows that the mother and the "teacher", which isn't a teacher but a class aide, had words in the past and the mother requested that this aide not be allowed to deal with her child. So there's history here that's not being shown. The aide seemed to be pushing this issue to the wall. Are we missing something here, of course, videos are edited. Who knows what this child did before being in front of the camera. Who knows what the aide did before being in front of the camrea. The aide worked the child to the center of the camera's view and walks out of the camera's view several times. ( I'm speaking of the video that was shown on TV this week of the classroom interaction between the teacher's aide and the child.)

But my opinion is its a sad day when police officers need to handcuff a five year old. She obviously was under control when they arrive and she didn't seem to give them any trouble at all.

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Galen said:

quote:
" ... I'd have locked the child in an empty room ..."

And away to prison you would have gone.

Probably so. I guess it's a good thing I'm not a teacher. icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

I think teachers today, with all the fear of lawsuits and all the regs they have to follow, have a really difficult job. As do parents.

As Tumbleweed Kid said, I'll bet there's lots to this story that we don't know.

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Isn't this just a video version of Berne's "Ain't it awful" game? (GAMES PEOPLE PLAY - 1960 something)

As with the Schiavo case, we're fed a carefully edited video, complete with hand-wringing, leg-wetting commentary on how terrible things have become in our day and time. Gosh, it's just awful! Isn't it?

No, I don't think so...

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Now this sort of thing tends to give me the sh**s.In New Zealand and Australia there is a BIG push from time to time by 'the experts'to have smacking of children outlawed.

Every now and then a parent using way over the top excessive force is paraded through the media to support their claim that it is abuse.

The problem with the attempt to ban any reasonable force used to discipline a child is that these ( i'm sorry but here I go...) limp wristed, handkerchief wringing, sandal wearing, often childless themselves, socialist busybodies also want to make the parents RESPONSILBLE for their childrens' behavior !!!( including legally)

I honestly believe this whole scenario is as develish as hell.

The average, majority of mainstream parents love their kids to bits and that includes loving them enough to give them a smack on the bum every now and then to help show them what is the norm in society(whatever that friggin means these days).

I have newspaper clippings that show the media applauding authorities for banning corporal punishment in schools in New Zealand a few years back and a newspaper clipping from THE SAME PAPER virtually a year later bemoaning the fact of increased violence in schools coupled with record suspensions.Thats right, they just send the kids home for Dad and Mom to deal with, thats right, poor Dad and or Mom who have to plead or beg or 'negotiate' with little Johnny to be a good boy!!

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Galen,

Regardless of who handcuffs a little 5 year old kid, it's *still* 'over the top' as Linda so plainly put it.

Allan,

So what part about this situation is 'develish'? The handcuffing of the child? That the school had to call the police instead of just the parents? The parents deal in all this? What?

And keep in mind that the changes in the school system that were brought about to this point has often been at the prodding of the parents (you know, the ones who DO have kids?) themselves, ... then they squawk when their own kids get busted by the 'socialist' (an economic theory which has nothing to with how one raises kids) system.

I guess it depends on who gets the 'gummint' check, ehh?

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ex...they obviously weren't trained in what to do. It's a whole 'nother degree...99.9% of the teachers don't get the training lest they be special ed. teachers...it's a whole new set of rules which aren't usually in the regular classroom...

inclusion...

that's another problem about to happen.

teacher's aides are just required to "show up" to sit with a special needs kid in a regular classroom...they aren't trained in a master's degree as a moderate special needs teacher.

That little girl...had a major problem...I'm surprised she was in a regular classroom!!! She probably won't be for long...they'll ship her out, and rightfully so...

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This blame the parents crap really ....es me off! Being the parent of a child who has had some pretty out of control tantrums, which included busting a window when he was three, I can tell you that it is not because he has learned that it was tolerable or acceptable behavior at home. It is not because I didn't discipline him, and it is not because I haven't sought help for him.

Some children have emotional, neurological, or physical problems that lead to episodes like this regardless of what parents and/or teachers do. At least until the proper treatment is found - which is no easy task.

I can also tell you, if my child got out of control like that at school and the school called the cops I'd be suing the foot off of them. The first thing I would expect them to do, if they could not handle the situation on their own (and usually even when they can) is to CALL me. Why? Because while legally they may not be able to physically restrain him, I can and I know how to do it in such a manner as to not harm him physically or emotionally.

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