The Beatings Must Stop

My View

A Missouri school district recently received national attention for reinstating paddling as an acceptable form of disciplining students. Will this become an infectious trend? Let’s hope not.

Does an in-school paddling comeback have a chance to spread? Of course. When times are tough, people run to quick and seemingly simple solutions. Some will claim that reconstitution of spanking students will support teachers. Some parents and educators will admit, “I was paddled, and I turned out OK.”

It is easy to capitulate to such voices, particularly if they are coming from school board members or teacher union leaders.