One of every 13 students in the Hillsborough County schools received a paddling last school year, officials say. It was a scene repeated nearly 8,600 times during the 1980-81 academic year. A youngster was sent to the principal's office. He confessed his wrongdoing, bent over, grabbed hold of a chair and waited. Suddenly, a staccato whack rang out.
Critics say the paddlings amount to child abuse.
But supporters defend the practice as an effective discipline tool. I really support it. Young people have to learn there is a consequence for bad actions. And, unfortunately, among the 118,000 children in our schools, there are quite a number who understand a paddling, but don't understand a reprimand or counselling. School figures for that academic year note that of the 8,600 students paddled, more than 3,000 students had been paddled on more than one different occasion.