PUBLIC OPINION > It's Not OK to Handcuff Kids
SodaHead News
2012/04/20 13:00:00
The parents of 6-year-old Salecia Johnson were shocked to find out that their child had been handcuffed and hauled off to jail on Tuesday. According to The Associated Press, while at school she "threw a small shelf that struck the principal in the leg, and jumped on a paper shredder and tried to break a glass frame." At some point administrators called the cops, and when the officer couldn't calm her down he put her in cuffs and took her to the station. This story has "controversy" written all over it, so you know we asked the public.
Sure enough, the results are just shy of a split decision. Overall, the voters decided against it by a margin of 10%, but there was more than enough support to get a toasty debate going. The real issue seemed to be whether there were any other options available. Those who voted in favor of the cuffing assumed there must have been good cause; those who voted against it assumed it was an overreaction. Some blamed the parents for not teaching her to behave in the first place; others wondered what the school did to cause the tantrum. There were a lot of angles.
Teens Think It's Terrible
Voters closest in age to the girl were most likely to oppose the officer's use of handcuffs. Maybe it's a little scary to realize just how vulnerable they could be if they don't act right. If a 6-year-old can get the cuffs, they're certainly not immune. Plus, they probably remember what it was like to be six a little better.
Parents Weigh Their Options
You might think parents would be more defensive, but they were actually more supportive than most. Along with voters who don't want kids at all, parents were split down the middle. However, voters who want kids someday were much less supportive. They don't know what they're in for.
Liberals Don't Like It
Yes, of course there was a political element to this. It actually wasn't as pronounced as it could have been, but conservatives were two times as likely as liberals to condone the use of handcuffs in this instance. Right-leaning voters frequently pointed out that handcuffs are merely a restraint, and not physically damaging. At least they didn't tase her.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about handcuffing children. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
-
fluer 2012/04/20 17:00:46
+16As a teacher who has had students out of control I can only assume this child was really out there badly. In the last 8 years we have only had to call the police one time and in that case they did haul the kiddo off to jail I think in cuffs. I guess they could have put her in a jacket, but if you stop and consider that she had already shown the inclination to injure and then destroy property could they let her go until she calmed down and potentially risk injury to another student or more property damage? Kiddo needed to be stopped to protect the rest of her peers and the staff from her destructive behavior. Do I like to consider this no, but in the real world where no one from the school can lay a hand on her without facing the very real possibility of a lawsuit the options are limited. Kiddo needs help but she also needs to learn there are consequences to actions. Sad all the way around.
You can still discipline a child, just not physically. Hit them where it hurts.
Put them on timeout, stand them in the corner. Take away their precious items (cell phone, internet, television, gaming console, computer, etc). They'll come back from that ledge pretty damn quick.
I'm actually all FOR removal of physical discipline. it's unnecessary, and it doesn't do anything positive at all. Then again, maybe that's because I was one of those 'abused children' (literally). There's other ways to address problems that don't require violence.
I take toys from my son when he throws them. That is the only time I take them. If he does something like hit the dogs or something else that is dangerous to him or can hurt someone else he gets a swat on the butt and I will tell him " no that isn't nice, you will..." either hurt who ever or you will get hurt, it isn't nice to be that way to nala you will make her mean ext. He rarely behaves that way because he knows it is bad.. Sad that he is almost 3 and much more behaved then this 6 year old.
Salecia was taken in the back of a patrol car and charged with simple battery and damage to property, the station reported. Salecia's father, Earnest Johnson, was livid over the incident. "A 6-year-old in kindergarten. They don't have no business calling the police and handcuffing my child," he said.
Mr. Johnson if you had taught your Salecia a little about respect and instilled a bit discipline in her then maybe everyone else involved in her Tantrum wouldn’t have been forced into taking the action that they did. Hopefully this can be a teaching moment for Salecia as well as for you.
Many of these kids have no respect for anything. They imitate their parents or lack thereof.
She had one yell I don't give a f$%^ what you say. Once my f$%^$%^ grandma hears about this she will have your f$%$^45 a#$ fired. This is front of the others kids. I told her once that is why I am not a teacher, I would have made that kid a permanent fixture in the wall.
Still for the 10 or so idiots she has... There is that one child in the class that makes her as proud of her as her own kids do.
There are juvenile institutions that deal with children like her everyday in America. No need to burden the other students over one bad apple.
I wouldn't care if your child destroyed your house. Having someone child destroy my childs school is inexcusable.
Maybe we could sing lullabys with her or give her ice cream.