Violence not necessary to correct behavior
Maureen Downey has it right. Educators should model appropriate behavior and not bully students by paddling. In more than 33 years of teaching, I never used corporal punishment, even when I was the only teacher in the building who didn’t employ it. I used logic as a means of teaching appropriate behavior. If an educator hits a child, the teacher is demonstrating that physical violence is correct to address another person’s inappropriate behavior. It is more effective if we ask the student to identify alternate ways to deal with a problem. Discipline means teaching appropriate behavior. Isn’t that what education must do?
MARY ANN BROWNING, PEACHTREE CITY
Media should not let false info continue
Bill Torpy’s article “Do facts matter anymore?” on Nov. 28 spoke to me. We may have turned a corner that will define our choices and outcomes based on irrational decision making in this loosened information environment. When we look at the evening news and see all the mayhem and violence, it’s easy for people to believe that crime is up, not down. The fact that it can be proven crime is down eludes most people.
I am aware how data can be manipulated to derive conclusions sought by those asking for information. This may be the reason why many people are skeptical when asked to believe so-called facts based on data. Becoming established as a reliable source of information is earned when conclusions drawn from the reliable sources have been known to be correct over time. These sources are plentiful, but not well utilized to disseminate facts to the larger audience. Clearly, there is a need to throw a larger net around best sources and the general population. Feelings and perceptions are important in understanding human attitudes and interactions, but when you are seeking solid evidence, you need good data.
I am hopeful the media will not allow the false information epidemic to continue. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us for a little more guidance.
HELEN BROCK, DUNWOODY
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