What teachers make...

[scalerman]

While I do agree that the parents can be and in many cases are the problem I also think that we need to look at a society that says that spanking your child is not allowed- as a matter of fact it is considered abuse/assault. I know people who got spanked/ disciplined every day by one parent or another- that is abuse. I can remember getting spanked only a few times and I deserved every stroke my father gave me. Taking away the option of disciplining our children breeds a total disrespect for authority. IMHO children are actually looking for boundaries, ones that are clearly defined and not negotiable. I also believe that they are then expecting to suffer consequences when they step over these boundaries. When this does not happen then they begin to get frustrated and try harder to push the boundaries to see exactly where the boundaries are. I believe that we are instilling a sense of insecurity and fear into our children by not disciplining them, or by not setting boundaries. Yes I know that there are some who take the discipline thing too far and step over into abuse- is the only option then to take this tool away from all in hopes that the few who abuse their children won't anymore?
This seems to me to be a poor course of action- all are assumed to be guilty without even the option of proving otherwise. I don't profess to know what the answer is. I know parents who struggle with this constantly. Their kids tell them that if they spank them a call to family services wil be forthcoming. I am rambling on. This is a subject that does not have any easy answers. I think that teachers for the most part are a great group of people. They take on a responsibliity that most of us don't want. Just a look into where I am coming from.