Video: Mom Shames Teen For Bad Grades / FCAT Performance

The sign reads "I DID 4 Questions on my F-Cat AND Said I Wasn't Going to Do it!" said the sign, written in black marker on a large piece of paper hanging around the 15-year-old's neck. "GPA 1.22... Honk if I NEED [an] Education." (Mom's public punishment stirs debate) via TDW

 

Comments

[Jeff]

I love this mother because she cares enough about her
son to get involved. Of course the psychologist is going
to decry this form of punishment because they are nurturers
and I really do not see her getting through to him if his mother,
who seemed to really care about him and know him, cannot get in. Is this extreme, yes, but let the psychologist put her money where her mouth is and get involved. Where is her pro bono support for students who are struggling? It is so easy when it is not your child's future at stake to be critical, but if this is what it takes, and the parents are keeping track of him, then I wholly support this move, and if my son's grades were terrible and he did not want to put out, he would be right next to this young man.
We put people on the sidewalks to support eating at local businesses, purchase homes, get your hair done here, but when we have a young at-risk male who could possibly go down the wrong path in life, then it is too much. I think a little humility can go a long way, especially when you do not like to be embarassed, and the proof will really be in the pudding in reviewing his future test scores and grades.
The psychologist annoyed me, because she has not met with the young man, the other women were critical and I would be interested to know if either have children, because if not, then they have no business making any comments.
I applaud the efforts of his mom, who wants him to succeed and believes that this is the only way to get through to him.

[Conny]

"He don't like to get embarrassed" Sorry, Mom...perhaps you need to make an effort first to get better educated! What examples have you set for your son? Were you there when he needed support, reassurance? What's the reason for the low GPA? Has he received help from any caring adult at his school?

This shaming will indeed backfire. He may be on the streets someday, but you would certainly have played a part in that decision. I'd say start mending/building a relationship with him if you truly care about him!

[Jeff]

Conny:

That mother certinaly seemed involved in the brief clip and of course I do not know the whole story, but the clip had nothing to do with his G.P.A. instead, it was a focus on his low score on a standardized test, and his lack of motivation. Indeed, put all of them who are responsible for this young man's plight out on that street corner with him, the teacher, the mother, and anyone else who had a hand in his current educational status.

I do not think that anyone can say with any certainty that he will be on the streets someday and possibly this intervention may work. This is an unusual tactic, but at the very least, you have to acknowledge that the mother is trying to get her son's attention and get him moving in the right direction.

The main problem is that we lack the background to make an informed evaluation on this brief clip and only time will tell if this tactic will work or if the child will indeed, as you note, be on the streets, begging for change.

At sixteen, young men can be difficult, I know I was and so is my son. Sometime a bit of tough love can go a long way, and quite possibly it will damage the relationship between mother and son for the time being, but she cares enough to take action, indeed, drastic action as opposed to ignoring the problem.

I respectfully agree to disagree with your evaluation, but I acknowledge your points as only time will tell.

Jeff Cudworth

[Jeff]

Conny:

That mother certinaly seemed involved in the brief clip and of course I do not know the whole story, but the clip had nothing to do with his G.P.A. instead, it was a focus on his low score on a standardized test, and his lack of motivation. Indeed, put all of them who are responsible for this young man's plight out on that street corner with him, the teacher, the mother, and anyone else who had a hand in his current educational status.

I do not think that anyone can say with any certainty that he will be on the streets someday and possibly this intervention may work. This is an unusual tactic, but at the very least, you have to acknowledge that the mother is trying to get her son's attention and get him moving in the right direction.

The main problem is that we lack the background to make an informed evaluation on this brief clip and only time will tell if this tactic will work or if the child will indeed, as you note, be on the streets, begging for change.

At sixteen, young men can be difficult, I know I was and so is my son. Sometime a bit of tough love can go a long way, and quite possibly it will damage the relationship between mother and son for the time being, but she cares enough to take action, indeed, drastic action as opposed to ignoring the problem.

I respectfully agree to disagree with your evaluation, but I acknowledge your points as only time will tell.

Jeff Cudworth

[Jeff]

Conny:

That mother certinaly seemed involved in the brief clip and of course I do not know the whole story, but the clip had nothing to do with his G.P.A. instead, it was a focus on his low score on a standardized test, and his lack of motivation. Indeed, put all of them who are responsible for this young man's plight out on that street corner with him, the teacher, the mother, and anyone else who had a hand in his current educational status.

I do not think that anyone can say with any certainty that he will be on the streets someday and possibly this intervention may work. This is an unusual tactic, but at the very least, you have to acknowledge that the mother is trying to get her son's attention and get him moving in the right direction.

The main problem is that we lack the background to make an informed evaluation on this brief clip and only time will tell if this tactic will work or if the child will indeed, as you note, be on the streets, begging for change.

At sixteen, young men can be difficult, I know I was and so is my son. Sometime a bit of tough love can go a long way, and quite possibly it will damage the relationship between mother and son for the time being, but she cares enough to take action, indeed, drastic action as opposed to ignoring the problem.

I respectfully agree to disagree with your evaluation, but I acknowledge your points as only time will tell.

Jeff Cudworth

[New York Hebrew School]

Regardless of whether I agree with the way that this mother went about this, it is refreshing to see that she cares enough to get involved in some way with her son's education. I do however agree with the point about the adults that are involved in this young man's education and life in general that should maybe be held more accountable and stand there with him. I do not know these people personally and cannot pass judgement on them but 15 is a pivotal age where without a support system, it is easy to trip down a path of underachieving that could very well be a long road. Again, at least this young man's mom is trying to be involved in some way.