Originally posted by Leslie
What do you think the proper reaction would be for that Toad? Drawing pictures of your classmates being stabbed, etc... and naming them?
Les
At age 9?
I think it's a problem that is dealt with within the school environment.
I'm sure they have a school policy on it. The kids and their parents should be brought in, the policy reviewed ("Don't do this or we'll suspend you", or whatever) and a clear outline of the response if it happens again (suspension or whatever).
Then let the parents handle it again at home in their own ways.
I think it's incredibly stupid to hand 9 year olds over to the legal system on felony charges over their stick drawings. At that age, I and a lot of others were drawing "war" pictures. Airplanes bombing ships, ships shooting ships, stick soldiers bayonetting stick soldiers.
I doubt most child psychologists would see this episode as an immediate red-flag warning sign. If they did, I seriously doubt they'd suggest tossing the kids to the legal sharks on felony charges.
Now I'll ask you a question.
The definition of a "felony" is:
A major criminal offense punishable by death or by imprisonment for more than one year in a state prison. (compare Infraction, Misdemeanor)
Do YOU think this stick figure drawing rises to the level of a crime punishable by death or more than a year in prison for 9 year olds?
We don't let 9 year olds vote or drink or drive cars. Why? Because they aren't responsible enough, don't have enough judgement and basically can't "reason" well enough.
So, you want these
children brought up on felony charges when they are clearly guilty of this
serious crime?