Brand Spanking New Rule Would Give Teachers the Right to Use Force

By Selwyn Duke

When I consider the topsy-turvy world we live in, I can’t help but think of the Bible’s warning, “There will come a time when bad will be called good and good will be called bad.” A prime example of this is adult-child relations. In a reversal from a couple of generations ago, a child can strike an adult and it’s sometimes shrugged off, but if an adult disciplines a youngster corporally, the police may come a-knockin’. (By the way, if society would arrest someone for using physical force against a minor based on the supposition that it isn’t a proper remedy for intransigence or misbehavior, why do the authorities use same against the suspect if he resists arrest? Can’t they just reason with him or give him a time-out?) The thinking, I suppose, is that adults should know better. They certainly should: they should know that such permissive ideas do violence to our capacity to civilize the young.

Ah, “But, Duke,” some will say, “how can you civilize children by teaching them violence?” It’s not a good point but an excellent question, as it brings up one of the great myths of our time, that “violence has to be taught.”

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Comments

[Vivienne]

I'd say this article is a hit, Mr. Duke but I'm fearful that would bring the police to your door.

Wonderfully well thought out and written. As always, a pleasure to read.

[Maryam]

I agree with Vivienne, great article.

"Can’t they just reason with him or give him a time-out?" - that is a really good point and made me laugh.