5-Year-Old Girl Cuffed After Fight At School

[Sasquatch]

(Wait...The Abominatrix is a dude?)

no.

Thought so. It's just that all the "dude" comments got me confused...

The Abominatrix and nik0tine BOTH agree with me? At the same time? I need a drink.

Another question is, what will happen to the mother and child when this is over? Will the mother assume any responsibility in disciplining the child? Or will the child grow and mature (physically) only to end up as more and more of a problem, with more contempt for lawful authority? Can law force the mother to take responsibility for raising her child correctly? This wouldn't be enough to warrant placing the child with in a foster home, but this is enough to realize that without proper discipline--which probably won't happen at home--the child's behavioral probems will only get worse. If this woman's method of "raising" her children continues as such, is it really "right" to put this child back into the same home?

Or should somebody just be hired to come around and smack the hell out of the woman every week or so until she starts fulfilling her responsibility as a parent?

[nik0tine]

We don't know the childs situation at home. (At least, I think we don't. I haven't read through the majority of this thread so forgive me if I am speaking out of ignorance.) We cannot say that "discipline" is the problem here. In fact, I don't think discipline even plays much of a factor here. I think there is a lack of love in that childs household, and that could very well be the reason as to why she is acting the way she is.

[TheAbominatrix]

We can assume that discipline is the problem, when the mother has refused to do anything about the situation before. Short of any other evidence, I'd say it's the most likely cause. I'd definitly assume also that there's either a lack of love or simply too much permissiveness. The child could be used to getting her way when she throws tantrums.

[Raven Nox]

When I read the topic title, I kinda thought it was funny, but after reading it. it's just sad, espically if the child is lacking love in the household, if the mother doesn't have time for her, she'd be better off adopted by someone else who can take care of her and maybe she won't go down the path she's already going down. A criminal record at the age of 5, that's REALLY bad.

[Sasquatch]

We don't know the childs situation at home. (At least, I think we don't. I haven't read through the majority of this thread so forgive me if I am speaking out of ignorance.) We cannot say that "discipline" is the problem here. In fact, I don't think discipline even plays much of a factor here. I think there is a lack of love in that childs household, and that could very well be the reason as to why she is acting the way she is.

When I was that age, my father would be gone for weeks at a time, and my stepmother wouldn't give a damn either way unless we did something wrong (mostly at school, and with me, mostly not doing my homework), in which case, she'd wake me up when she got home, beat the hell out of me, then tell my dad when he got home--even if it was two weeks away--and he would beat the hell out of me too. I don't think children act unruly because there's a "lack of love", it's because they don't respect their parents, or authorities of any figure. There are two ways for parents to get respect--showing their children "love", and disciplining their children and demanding respect. I would say that showing their children love and disciplining them coincide (because really, do you love your child if you raise 'em up to be an asshole?), but I wouldn't agree that a lack of love is the problem and not a lack of discipline.

[TheAbominatrix]

That's true, but the state will not take a child in anything but an extreme case. I'd recommend some forced counciling for the family, and some monitoring of the home environment. You're right though, the kid is heading down a nasty path.

[Raven Nox]

My parnets wern't around that much, still aren't, they got divorced when I was 5, I hate authory, but I don't act like this. I've only be suspended twice, once for refusing to do something a teacher wanted me to because I didn't think it was fair, and another for face painting. I didn't bring harm to any one though, and I think it's stupid to do so just because you have probelms. Though she is only 5, I don't think self-control is being taught and it needs to be.

[Vyk]

One of the many reasons I never intend to have kids. I was always worried about them taking too much of my wife's love away from me. Now I gotta worry about them kicking my ass too? Man... (/sarcasm)

[nik0tine]

When I was that age, my father would be gone for weeks at a time, and my stepmother wouldn't give a damn either way unless we did something wrong (mostly at school, and with me, mostly not doing my homework), in which case, she'd wake me up when she got home, beat the hell out of me, then tell my dad when he got home--even if it was two weeks away--and he would beat the hell out of me too. I don't think children act unruly because there's a "lack of love", it's because they don't respect their parents, or authorities of any figure. There are two ways for parents to get respect--showing their children "love", and disciplining their children and demanding respect. I would say that showing their children love and disciplining them coincide (because really, do you love your child if you raise 'em up to be an asshole?), but I wouldn't agree that a lack of love is the problem and not a lack of discipline.

My parents have always cared about me, and I was almost never hit. I can think of no more than five times (I know there were more, but not many) where I was actually hit by my parents. (Or anyone for that matter) I don't act like that, and neither does my sister. I am not rude, and I seldom give anybody problems.

You said parents gain respect by either showing thier children love, and by and disciplining their children and demanding respect. I know I am going a tad off topic here but I would like to give my opinion on this statement. First of all, those who demand respect do not deserve it from anyone. Not from thier children, not from thier peers. No one. Secondly, is it really respect when it is beat into you? I most certainly don't think so. It's fear. Is it right to keep children at bay by keeping them afraid of getting beat? Sure, they will stop acting up, but the reason why doesn't seem justified to me. You can keep children from being complete morons without a whole lot of physical discipline. I am living proof of that.

Also, 'respecting authority' is not something that children need to be tought. They should be tought to respect those who are respect worthy. I respect my parents because they deserve it, not becuase they have authority over me. Someone who abuses thier authority deserves no respect. Period. Teaching kids to "respect authority" is, at the same time, teaching them to submit to authority. While I agree, people should not be rebelling just because they dislike authority, a society of submissive people are bad. When people don't know when to tell 'the boss' "NO!" it leaves room for bad things to happen.

I am not necesarily opposed to corporal punishment, I am opposed to it's use in an unintelligent and unnecessary manner, and unfortunately, most parents arent smart when it comes to disciplining thier kids.

[TheAbominatrix]

Discipline does not mean physical discipline. It means setting boundries and sticking to them. Discipline can be anything from grounding a child to a spanking.

I dont see how a five year old can learn, or be taught, to 'respect those who deserve it'. She's five. She needs to learn to respect her teachers and the police. Period.

[DMKA]

OOC:	That's ironic nik, I got the shiz beat out of me by my dad on a daily basis (alot of the time just randomly without reason) and I didn't respect anyone!

I think spanking a 5 yr old could be somewhat appropriate for a 5 year old, but I don't think that should be the immediate approach. Different things work for different kids, and if a spanking every now and then does it, then hey, that's what works. Beatings however, are inexcusable. I don't care how bad the kid has acted.

[nik0tine]

She needs to be taught some amount of common sense. Even if you hate the police, you don't kick them. Contrary to the popular belief, a five year old can and will adhere to the rules of logic.

Edit: In this particular instance, I don't think that discipline is going to do much good, because the childs mother obviously doesn't know how to raise her child. If you don't know how to raise your kid, no matter how much you hit them or ground them or spank them, nothing is going to come out of it. Discipline is a learning experience. If you can't teach your kids, you might as well just give up now.

[DMKA]

True. Of course, not many parents try that. =/

[nik0tine]

True. Of course, not many parents try that. =/

And why is that do you think? I think it's because most parents don't have common sense themselves.

[TheAbominatrix]

As I said, discipline does not neccesary mean spankings.