Thanks, I know that forums need a watchful eye to prevent spam and such. It is my intent to inform and chat, so I just want to share factual data. Thanks for all the feedback. I would think that links that are not advertising or selling would be safe, but forums have different rules for good reason, based on the types of situations and problems encountered.

Peg - I would never assume to speak for Tim or PTOtoday. However, I know they are a very watchful team and have deleted, edited and commented on many posts. I'm not saying "no news is good news" but I do trust that any posts counter to the intent of these message boards would be removed or altered.

Mississippi leads the nation in the use of corporal punishment in the schools. The state also leads the nation in high school drop out, teen pregnancy, incarceration rates. I think that there is a strong connection. They have issues in all areas related to physical and emotional health and safety, as evidenced by so many stats.

Someone let me know if that is OK to do a link like that. I don't know if it is, and if not, sorry, I don't want to be doing anything that is not allowed on this forum. I have so many wise people that I like to chat with here!

Here is a link to an article that is a real eye opener. nospank.net/guthrow.htm

It shows that there are so many social issues in the paddling states. Worth the time to read.
We may as well not spend one thin dime on domestic violence prevention as long as we applaud our educated sector abusing children.

"Again, when the educated sector thinks that it is a good idea to hit children with wooden planks, what's the big deal with a shove or a hurl, or a piece of tape over the mouth? "

after the children injustice, that precisely is what is also equally disturbing in all this, why would EDUCATED people condone such practices? there is more than meets the eye, which is why i was curious about who gets to paddle the kids. clearly, people in a position of power to change the schools rules and regs, and refuse to do such, and are the same ones adminitstering the punishment, that would raise additional red flags about WHY the practice continues.

someone mentioned bullying aspects, i think that is too mild of an assessment, but maybe some reasons behind why the practice continues, are similar; i dont know who wrote this:

SILENCE is the air that bullying breathes, DENIAL the water it drinks and PASSIVITY its sustenance.

And thanks for those stats, truly eye opening. it is curious that MS was also recently rated as the most obese state in the union. i wonder if i pulled up the 'overweight state stats' , the order would be similar all the way down and if there is any correlation at all. violence......self esteem..............eating disorders type of link.who knows.