I think we're overthinking things nowadays.
Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2011 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Jack learns to follow the rules about not bringing guns to school.
Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies. Really? Everybody ended up friends in 1957?
2011 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it. Really? I have yet to hear about a SWAT team at our local high school.
Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again. Yes, because every screw up in 1957 got sent to the Principal's office once and was "fixed".
2011 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability. I don't think the vast majority of children with ADD are receiving SSI payments.
Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman. You'd think we'd have a lot more successful businessmen out there if this were the case. My guess is that Billy ended up being a thug at worst, or an average person at best.
2011 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse, Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist. No, you should read the threads on the Dis mor carefully. Lots of people on here hit their children and are not in jail. Personally, I don't hit my kids.
Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock. Mark then dies from lung cancer from taking up smoking when he was still in school. Principal is long since dead, as well, from the same cause.
2011 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons. Mark again learns to follow the rules, just like they did in 1957.
Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2011 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English. Really? Where has English been banned from the core curriculum?
Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die. Johnny loses a finger, possibly a hand. Maybe goes blind. Maybe blinds a friend. Needlessly puts his own life and those of his family and friends at risk.
2011 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents - and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again No, I don't think this happens. Can you cite a few examples? And since fireworks are illegal in my state, shouldn't his father hit him as punishment for breaking the laws? That would make him grow up to be a successful businessman, from what I hear....
Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing. Unfortunately the cut becomes infected and he's in significant pain. Eventually the leg is amputated.
2011 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy. Really? Really? Can you provide one example of where this happened? My daughter's kindergarten teacher hugs her all the time...
