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#351729 - 04/28/05 03:34 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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Platinum Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 829
Maryland
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As said earlier, there is a lot we don't know. My son, even at an early age, could be unpredictable. Most of the time, once he calms down everything is over. But those close to him can tell when it is just a "pause" in his outrage. Yes, the best action would be to physically restrain him in the correct manner, such as our school has occasionally done. This can be dangerous; I had a cracked rib to prove it. Unfortunately, the schools are afraid to do this most of the time as this can get them into even more trouble.
Personally I believe the police were probably, and I say probably, overreacting. But, was she really calm, or was this a pause in her tantrum? I don't know her to know. If she was not done and they did not handcuffed her and she started acting out again how would her parents and the media feel if the large police officers had to physically restrain her? She had already proved she was capable of the violent behavior.
All I do know is that it would be totally inappropriate for someone to handcuff my 5 year old daughter. She is a quiet, mouse of a child, however, for my son, I would never, even at 5, have questioned the action. This is definitely a case by case situation.
As for her fear of the police after this, all of my children know that both the police and social services are there to protect everyone, including them. And let me assure you that we have had both to school and into our home more times than I would like to count. Several times because I, myself, have called them in. Is my son afraid of the police? Not really. He has respect for them and knows that they will hold him accountable for his behavior, but he is more afraid of his father. And you know what? Growing up I was afraid of my father too, as I think most of us were!!
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#351730 - 04/28/05 03:53 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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Anonymous
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Quote:
When I was in the 7th grade I called in a bomb threat (they kill you for that now, but in the good old days we got a day outside the school while they searched for the bomb so some of us did it). The police were called, and the search commenced. They figured it was me eventually that afternoon and I was taken into the principals office with four police men. They lectured me! They told me about the lower response time they would have if my grandmother needed them because they were searching the school. They made me feel like the heel I was for doing what I did, then they took me to the police station, in the front seat of the car, not in cuffs, and made me spend the afternoon there learning about what they do, and how I took them away from it for a silly day in the park. IF they would have wanted to cuff me (since I was calm as well as this child when they arrived) I'd probably have freaked out too. Instead of being scared whitless, which I deserved and was old enough to take, I learned a great deal and never did that again. My guess is that the cops in Florida would have shot to kill given their response to a five year old child. Thank god they handled it as any police officer should, verses scaring the crap out of me.
So, if they had treated you like you'd committed a crime, which you had, you would have had a fear of the police that would pervade your life--even when you weren't doing anything wrong? Or would you have only feared them when you were thinking of doing something wrong or had done something wrong. Some children would have welcomed a day at the police station as a free pass from class. Each child is different, but it is impossible for the police to know which is which.
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#351731 - 04/28/05 04:00 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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Power Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,332
WOOHOO
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Quote:
It sounds extreme to me, but I am going to withhold judgment until I get a clearer picture of what took place. From what I saw on the video, I do not think handcuffs were necessary. However, I will not say that handcuffs are never permissible for a 5 year old. Five year old children can be stronger than you may think. A five year old that has been raised in a house that fights, may be able to injure a teacher. And a 5 year old with a weapon can be just about as dangerous as an adult with a weapon. Even at the risk of traumatizing a child, if there is prescient fear of bodily harm, I am not ready to rule out the use of handcuffs.
Dr. -Z- the handcuffs were necessary. There was no other way to control the child without physically touching her in ways that would have that action subject to questions, also.
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#351732 - 04/28/05 04:08 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,316
New Mexico
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You have your views about the handcuffs, and I have mine. They weren't necessary for a calm child... Maybe before, but not while she was calm. Yes, maybe she was having a "pause" from her fit, but nonetheless, at that moment, there was calmness...
I don't know the whole situation, I wasn't there, I don't know the girl. All I know is what the MEDIA told me. Yes, I am thinking more positively and hoping that it was a complete misunderstanding. I think I'm gonna take a break from this, seeing as you all know how I feel...
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#351733 - 05/03/05 01:34 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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10K Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,846
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You'll all be shocked to read this story, I'm sure.
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#351734 - 05/03/05 01:36 PM
Re: 5 Year Old Handcuffed??????
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10K Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
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That's just great, let's undermine authority.  Another freakin' waste of our tax dollars.
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