Paddle Punishment In Schools - Why We Still Do It Even If We Think We Don't

Are you left-handed? I'm just curious. Remember a time where you'd better not be left-handed in school?

Left-handed kids got punished and hit with a paddle every time they used their left hand to write. It was forbidden to be left-handed. Can you believe that?!?!

Yesterday, David told me the story of his grandfather that stuttered his whole life as a result of being forced to use his right hand to write in school. Man, I could puke when I think about it! It's making me sick!

Well, you might say times have changed - right? Wrong!

The only thing that has changed is that the paddle disappeared from the classroom ( thank god). But the basic concept of sameness is still being used to punish every kid that doesn't fit into the norm. They don't punish you with physical force - but with psychological ( not sure which is worse - ahh...both suck anyway).

Think about it. As long as the result of being different in the classroom is punishment ( with low grades, low self-esteem, low respect) our school-system sucks. Because we cripple the potential and creativity of our kids. We preach sameness in a beautiful world of variety and this leads to unused human potential, talent and genius.

Don't get me wrong - I'm really happy about the fact that the paddle disappeared in our classrooms. What I'm saying is that it's not enough. The concept, believe and thinking behind the paddle has to disappear as well.

Trying to force every kid into one pre-defined system is the root of the problem. And I believe that we are ready for this change now. We did the first step some time ago...now is the time for the second step. Let's ban the concept behind the paddle from our classrooms and our hearts. Let's stimulate the beauty of variety in our kids and in us all!

Comments

[Robyn]

Thanks for a great post, Stelli. One size does not fit all! We are all unique and have a wide variety of gifts and talents.

[Steli Efti]

Hey Robyn,
thankx for the comment. You're absolutely right! We are all unique and that's the beauty of human kind. Much power to you!

[Valentin]

Steli, you are right, paddle have been 99.99% removed from schools.

But what about the teachers mentality ?
What about people`s mentality ?
How about home 'education' where some families still promote wrong education, if not with a paddle, but with other forms of 'educational tools' ?

As you know and say, any kid, once is into classic educational system, is pressured to follow certain style - teachers`s style, school`s style ..

If I`m not wrong, is Mark Twain who said "what a wonderfull human beings we would be and what a beautifull society we will live in if humans childs won`t be limited, since early age, thru education system"

I recently said that, while humans are not equal (nor physically, nor psyhologically), they are still entitled to equal rights and chances.

I strongly belive in your SCS project (and I`ll allways backup) as a strong alternative to actual educational system.

Keep it up, Steli.

[Steli Efti]

Hey Valentin,

thank you so much for all your support buddy!
Here's another Mark Twain classic quote that I really like: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." M.T.

Much power to you!

[Bill Bont]

Dream on!!! This cant never be reality!!
Simply because kids need and want discipline, meaning rules and boundaries.
And how about adults being restricted by law and "normal" behaviour. If everybody started to do what they liked, what a mash we would be in!!!
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