Girl, 6, Handcuffed, Committed Because Of Classroom Behavior

Submitted by Matt on Fri, 2010-02-12 15:55

Story here. When I was 6, I used to throw tantrums, too. And even though the principal's office scared the hell out of me, even if I had thrown a tantrum there, it wouldn't have been grounds for arrest by a police officer. What normally happened was I was taken (by force if necessary, such as picking me up) and removed from wherever I was and placed in my room. If I had done this at school my folks would be called and I'd be kept in a room until they arrived to take me home, which thankfully, never happened.

I see this story is yet further proof that parents in general are continuing to lose both legal and practical control of their kids.

As for men's (and boys') rights, well, stories like this are much more likely to elicit sympathy for the child given that she is a girl. As in other cases of excessive restraint use against children, I would say she is a victim of state abuse of police power as well.

Nonetheless, I remain aware of how permissive the use of all manner of punishments against boys are that are never even thought to be applied to girls behaving the same way. In this particular instance, this girl was treated as a boy would be. And in both cases, everyone should be outraged. Excerpt:

'PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- A Port St. Lucie first-grade student was handcuffed and committed to a mental health facility because of her classroom behavior, and her parents are furious that the school took such extreme measures.

Mickey Shalansky explained Wednesday what he said happened to his 6-year-old daughter at Parkway Elementary.

"She couldn't put her in two handcuffs because her wrists are that small, so she put them both in the same handcuff and left marks on my daughter's arms," Shalansky told WPBF 25 News' Bob Kaple.

But a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office report paints a much different picture.

Deputies said his daughter, Haley, got upset and stormed out her classroom when her teacher asked her to do something. The report said it then escalated into a temper tantrum in the principal's office.

According to the incident report, a deputy said Haley was out of control. It said she "kicked the wall, went over to the desk and threw the calculator, electric pencil sharpener, telephone, container of writing utensils and other objects across the desk."

She was then handcuffed.

"I don't think it should have had to come to this -- you know, to put a little girl, 6 years old, 37 pounds in handcuffs and take her away in a police car," Shalansky said.'

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Comments

How endearing. A self-entitled girl in training!
Yes, I know, that's not the point. And, to be fair, boys are more likely to exhibit this behavior.

Parents and teachers are losing control of their children in greater numbers than ever before. Going to the extreme of handcuffing a 6-year-old just shows how adults have lost the ability to control. I mean, the parents and teachers are adults, for crying out loud! What's the matter with them!

Ultimately, it's the parents' fault that they lack the ability to instill respect for proper authority and the understanding that obedience is not optional. Yet, at the same time, many parents are criminalized if they dare exercise such parental authority when needed. The ageless and still applicable Biblical wisdom ".. the rod will remove it far from him" is no longer applied, as the PC groups have convinced multitudes that its wisdom is harmful. The end result? What we see here.

The sense of what's right and wrong have been made ill-defined by today's culture, its media, and, most of all, by its entertainment. The overall message is: If you don't want to do it, you don't have to! Or, if it feels good to you, you are entitled to it! Consequences be damned.

Sadly, such thinking has brought down entire empires. And, this nation today, which has its rebellious, independent spirit reaching into the far corners of the earth like tentacles, is not immune.

MAJ

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Submitted by digital_dreamer on Sat, 2010-02-13 01:33

Public schools are so afraid to touch your child that alot of options are off limits to them, such as picking a child up or using physical force. Some schools do not even allow hugging. (everyone is paranoid of a lawsuit)

I think the school (police dept. ?) went too far in having the child taken to a mental facility. But as far as restraining the child, it sounds like the school may have a fair argument. It also sounds like this girl may not be emotionally fit to be in a regular classroom.

The reason I think the school may have a fair argument is because the article says that the school had set up several meetings with the parents but they never showed up. Also this incident is really over a two day period. The girl was handcuffed on the first day because she was out of control, and the parents did not complain. They even sent her back to school the next day where the tantrum started up again.

I would never send my kids back to school after such an incident. (of course I don't send my kids to school at all)

I can't help but notice that the mother works at a daycare. Great. People in charge of other people's kids that can't even manage their own kids. (you guys know I hate daycares)

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Submitted by Kris on Sat, 2010-02-13 02:47

See that's what happens when your femaleness isn't obvious - you get treated like a mere male!

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Rise, Rebel, Resist.

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Submitted by MichaelClaymore on Sat, 2010-02-13 02:21

Sure, handcuffing is extreme, but as others mentioned she is an entitlement princess in training.
Obviously her parents are raising her that way, so it's no use waiting for them to wise up and socialize her to the benefit of society.
The school staff can't and won't do anything in this regard either.
It should be the parents' task to socialize her properly but it's quite probable that police would take THEM away in handcuffs if they tried to use any effective method :|
The lesson of the story is start disciplining your children early and don't let the tell-a-vision raise them.

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Submitted by Deansdale on Sat, 2010-02-13 10:30