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PUBLIC OPINION > The 'Catastrophe Award' Was Kind of Mean

SodaHead News 2012/06/01 22:00:00
An 8-year-old girl made the news this week when her mother complained about a "Catastrophe Award" the girl received at school. The "award" read, "You're tops! Awarded ... for most excuses for not having homework. :)" Apparently the entire class laughed at her, and the mother was furious. Some think the teacher who handed it out was being cruel; others think it was relatively harmless. We asked the public.

catastrophe award sodahead

Reactions were pretty mixed on this one. Though a small majority agreed it was mean to call the girl out on her missing homework in front of her peers, some still felt it was an acceptable way of addressing the problem. Although, one young respondent wrote, "Hell, if one of my teachers gave me that I'd frame it and put it on my wall!" So maybe it wouldn't effective for everyone.

Females Feel Bad

There was a huge difference between how men and women responded. Women were much more likely to sympathize with the student and show concern from how it affected her. Men, on the other hand, were more willing to accept it as a form of tough love. Many of them even thought it was funny, suggesting the kids shouldn't have taken it so seriously.

Old School

We expected older voters to be more accepting of the teacher's method, as punishment in school seems to be more controversial now than it once was, but the shift didn't happen until the uppermost bracket. Only respondents over the age of 65 voted much different than the rest of the age groups. "Back in my day..."

Liberals Don't Like It

Probably for the same reasons behind the age difference, conservative respondents were more likely to green light the Catastrophe Award. They tend to appreciate tradition, and traditionally teachers have more license to crack down in schools when kids need to shape up. Considering some of the things they used to do, this was pretty harmless.

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 the Catastrophe Award. We'd love to hear from you!
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Top Opinion

  • Depsycho 2012/06/01 22:26:50
    Depsycho
    +13
    What good does it do to shame a student anyway? I don't care how young or old, what good is it to publicly shame one's self esteem?

    I wonder if the teacher even bothered to care if the student was sensitive or not? Did they take that into account? How about the after-effects this would have on the student? Or what kind of life they live outside of school? I didn't see the original question, so pardon me if these bases were touched already.

    I certainly hope the student is laughing at all this. I'd rather it be that than crying in depression from the ridicule.

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  • ♌βļąƈʞƦơșƐ3033♌ 2012/06/02 02:04:22
    ♌βļąƈʞƦơșƐ3033♌
    +3
    I mixed on this one too. I got homework turn in on time 80% of the time and when I didn't I got in big trouble and I felt stupid and embarrassed.
  • Pol Beith 2012/06/02 01:08:19
    Pol Beith
    +1
    I got tired of workers here in southern Mexico making excuses so often, instead of
    showing up for work as promised. I can't take most workers here seriously.
  • BobStrauss 2012/06/02 01:02:09
    BobStrauss
    +4
    The teacher should be given an award as the most insensitive teacher of the Century!
  • crispy.mickey 2012/06/02 01:00:41
    crispy.mickey
    +2
    how bloody ridiculous parents should get their kids to do homework and teachers should do theyre effing job as teachers....naming and shaming kids is just ridiculous
  • HelmetGirl 2012/06/02 00:07:02
    HelmetGirl
    +2
    A little over the top, but homework is an important part of the educational process. Her mother needs to get on the ball and make sure her child is getting it done. I don't think it was nice of the teacher to bring this to light in such a way, but I get her point. Next time, she should simply contact the student's parents. No child should suffer ridicule in the classroom.
  • PBUTTERBOY77 2012/06/02 00:02:48
    PBUTTERBOY77
    +2
    And the mother should get one too. If she's so upset and bothered by it then she should make sure that the kid doesn't get another one by getting her homework done.
  • BOOGIE-WOOGIE-MUSIC-MAN-ROC... 2012/06/01 23:34:18
    BOOGIE-WOOGIE-MUSIC-MAN-ROCK-N-R
    +1
    It would be ironic if one day that teacher got put in a nursing home and had to depend on that student to take care of her, if she grew up to be a nurse in that nursing home.
  • jas wats BOOGIE-... 2012/06/02 02:55:17
    jas wats
    +2
    Yeah, just what we need, nurses that make excuses for not doing what they're supposed to.
  • BOOGIE-... jas wats 2012/06/02 03:49:30
    BOOGIE-WOOGIE-MUSIC-MAN-ROCK-N-R
    You missed my point, what goes around comes around lol
  • Jiorgia 2012/06/01 23:27:23
    Jiorgia
    its rare that i agree with conservatives, but it seems on this issue i did.
  • Doford 2012/06/01 23:23:53
    Doford
    +2
    People do better in life when they're not shamed.
  • Christopher Kirchen 2012/06/01 23:03:43
    Christopher Kirchen
    +1
    You would think that the liberals would appreciate an "award", even for this; it attempts to face a fact but in such a way as to protect a kid's wittle feewings.
  • ordman 2012/06/01 22:59:46
    ordman
    +3
    Snap!!! Spade is a Spade. Ms. Plowman obviously cares for the children in her charge. I wonder how many other ways Ms. Plowman tried to get the child and her mother to get her homework done. Sometimes the slap in the face is the only way people, Christina Valdez in this case wake up.
  • Ira 2012/06/01 22:59:26
    Ira
    +5
    Aw. Once again feelings over substance. The child is irresponsible and it was pointed out. It was also a direct rebuke of the inept mother who hasn't a clue what is happening with her child's education until it bites her in the ass.

    For those of you who feel it was mean, grow a pair. Tits or balls, I could care less. This is nauseating. If that were my kids, she wouldn't see the light of day before or after school for weeks. Every piece of HW would be completed. NO TV, NO FRIENDS, NO PHONE, NO GAMES, NO MOVIES, NO NOTHING!!! THAT should be the mother's punishment too.
  • PBUTTER... Ira 2012/06/02 00:07:14
  • sky blu... Ira 2012/06/02 13:06:09
    sky blue pink - American
    +1
    That's the way I was with my kids. But I'm also looking at it this way, there maybe some problems at home and the child may feel better in giving excuses, than being totally up front.
    Have a nice day !
  • Ira sky blu... 2012/06/02 16:28:30
    Ira
    A perfectly valid point. I would suggest there ARE problems at home. I would further suggest that the school and teacher find the authority to discuss this before it comes to a head. I would love to know if there was communication, real communication between teacher/school and parent/home.
  • sky blu... Ira 2012/06/02 22:32:55
    sky blue pink - American
    +1
    Absolutely.
    Have a good one !
  • sundance Ira 2012/06/06 00:48:57 (edited)
    sundance
    +1
    Well said. Parenting is as much a duty as a privilege. Why not do well at both....Just a thought...
  • KrazyMan 2012/06/01 22:50:08
  • Carson 2012/06/01 22:47:58
    Carson
    +8
    Only in North America would this be wrong. She should have handed in her homework.
  • The Inc... Carson 2012/06/02 04:32:33
    The Incurable Pessimist
    +4
    I agree. To all the people raising he'll over this insignificant issue, stop being so sensitive and naive. People need to face the consequences of their actions from an early age.
    That is why most Western kids fall out of line...the result of elders not being strict enough.
    Geez, it's just a piece of paper.
  • COCO The Inc... 2012/06/05 07:04:25
  • mae 2012/06/01 22:40:57 (edited)
    mae
    +4
    From what I could find online--granted, not an indepth search--this school in Tuscon, Arizona is a public charter school that boasts an unusually small enrollment--143 students, grades K through 8th. and test scores in the 80% percentile=quite high. 57% of students are caucasian, 43% are hispanic--the rest are asian, black, american indian, and other. A follow-up story on this would be great, as it seems unlikely that with a class size averaging 15 students per grade, that this teacher--Ms. Plowman--would not have time or inclination--for an entire school year-- to help this girl by finding out what the REAL problem was. There has to be more to this story that what was given here and on a ABC news video.
  • jas wats mae 2012/06/02 02:58:16
    jas wats
    +3
    On a side note, 57% + 43% = 100%. Nothing left over.
  • La Bef mae 2012/06/04 05:25:56
    La Bef
    +1
    Specially on an ABC video....
  • ..tisha... 2012/06/01 22:28:04
    ..tisha...
    +7
    No, the kid wouldn't have gotten the award if she did her homework and turned it in. My mother would have taken one look at that card and said; "Why the hell aren't you turning your homework in!" and I'd be sitting through a huge lecture about fixing the problem- instead of it being taken to the media and plastered on national news. Parents today, blame everyone but their own kid.
  • COCO ..tisha... 2012/06/05 07:05:47
    COCO
    Indeed.
  • Depsycho 2012/06/01 22:26:50
    Depsycho
    +13
    What good does it do to shame a student anyway? I don't care how young or old, what good is it to publicly shame one's self esteem?

    I wonder if the teacher even bothered to care if the student was sensitive or not? Did they take that into account? How about the after-effects this would have on the student? Or what kind of life they live outside of school? I didn't see the original question, so pardon me if these bases were touched already.

    I certainly hope the student is laughing at all this. I'd rather it be that than crying in depression from the ridicule.
  • The Inc... Depsycho 2012/06/02 04:33:58
    The Incurable Pessimist
    +3
    Boo Hoo.
    Atleast she didn't get whipped with a belt. Teaches kids about the real world...couldn't be sooner.
  • Depsycho The Inc... 2012/06/02 04:37:21
    Depsycho
    +2
    Oh sure, because the real world completely comes down upon you for every little mistake.

    Being an insensitive twat to others for their shortcomings is NOT the way to "prepare" anyone, unless it's prepping them up for suicide at an early age.
  • Common ... Depsycho 2012/06/05 15:19:45
    Common Sense Conservative
    It's great that liberals run right to the worst every situation. The kid is going to go home and hang himself right away. This is how liberals think.

    Brilliant!!!
  • Depsycho Common ... 2012/06/05 16:39:38
    Depsycho
    Oh you tease. ♥
  • Common ... Depsycho 2012/06/05 16:59:00
    Common Sense Conservative
    I don't tease, this is how liberals think.
  • Depsycho Common ... 2012/06/05 18:02:19
    Depsycho
    That's hot.
  • Common ... Depsycho 2012/06/05 18:03:14
    Common Sense Conservative
    Whoo hoo
  • KB The Inc... 2012/06/05 13:53:52
    KB
    +1
    I've been publicly humiliated. It does tear you up inside especially if it's happened for years.
  • KaTy BeAr Depsycho 2012/06/02 04:39:19
    KaTy BeAr
    +3
    I couldn't agree more. That was insensitive and uncalled for. Do they even know what goes on in their private life at home?

    Come on...
  • The Inc... KaTy BeAr 2012/06/02 04:43:32
    The Incurable Pessimist
    +2
    -.- People will continue to be judgmental, it's a natural basic human tendency, and that's unfair but it's life.
    The truth often hurts but it's better to be realistic then have your head stuck in the clouds and remain oblivious to the world around them.
    After all, you could be raped in a street corner tomorrow, for all you know. Better to be prepared and know the facts.
  • KaTy BeAr The Inc... 2012/06/03 15:08:54 (edited)
    KaTy BeAr
    eyebrow arch gif

    I can see why you chose the name you have... and a day has passed. I'm still a virgin. Sorry to get your hopes up.

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