Principal punishes boys with public hand-holding

[Hum]

An Arizona school district has condemned the in-school discipline at one of its high schools after two boys were forced to hold hands in front of their classmates as a punishment for fighting.

Earlier this week, the two students at Westwood High School in Mesa, Ariz., who have not been named, were faced with the prospect of either suspension from school, or sitting in chairs in the high school's courtyard and holding hands for 15 minutes during a lunch period. They opted for the latter.

"Kids were laughing at them and calling them names, asking, 'Are you gay?'" student Brittney Smyers told ABC affiliate KNXV.

Teens at the high school inevitably posted photos of the two, who spent the time shielding their faces with their heads in their hands, to social media sites.

On the Facebook posting, users commented that the public punishment is not appropriate, as it positions the teens as targets for taunting and name-calling. Others suggested the punishment was anti-gay, as it implies two males holding hands is embarrassing.

Helen Hollands, director of communication and marketing for Mesa Public Schools, told ABCNews.com that the school's principal, Tim Richard, who is in his first year at Westwood, had the idea.

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[Shane Nokes]

Oh no...we're so insecure in our masculinity that we can't hold hands...

I mean are kids these days seriously so weak that this makes them cringe?

I'd hate to see what would happen if they were forced to help the custodial staff clean things around the school every day for a couple weeks after school.

I'd hate to see what would happen if they were forced take part in anything that was actually difficult or truly a punishment.

Oh no...I have to hold that guys hand...eww

/Facepalm

[Noir Angel]

In a society with an insane amount of homophobia this was a pretty tasteless move.

[Hum]

The two guys should have started necking. :p

[Shane Nokes]

In a society with an insane amount of homophobia this was a pretty tasteless move.

You do realize that that's the type of attitude that lets it continue and thrive right?

Like I said...this was NOTHING as a punishment. When I got into a fight at school? It was a minimum 3-day suspension...minimum...served either in 'ISS' in which we sat in a room with a few other students, but in separate booths, totally unable to interact and focus on work...and if we ran out of work they found some for us to do, or served working with the custodial stuff, or sometimes even sent home and forced to stay out of school and try to catch up when we got back.

Pfft...this is nothing...

The two guys should have started necking. :p

Exactly...show off that the punishment wasn't anything actually negative and ridicule the staff in the process. I actually approve. ;)

[Original Poster]

Oh no...we're so insecure in our masculinity that we can't hold hands...

that wouldnt be a problem for me ... but to be forced to do this is just wrong and IS against human rights (in my country it is anyway) you dont have to be insecure about holding a dudes hand to be embarrassed by it...

[Shane Nokes]

that wouldnt be a problem for me ... but to be forced to do this is just wrong and IS against human rights (in my country it is anyway) you dont have to be insecure about holding a dudes hand to be embarrassed by it...

Oh really? Name a single other reason to be embarrassed...

[Original Poster]

Oh really? Name a single other reason to be embarrassed...

all the people staring at them .... while they sit in the middle of them the big circle of people ... on school chairs .... not being funny but I hate being stared at ... and I hate people taking my photo .... I find it degrading like im some kind of circus chimp .... people may have been picking on them for them holding hands but does not mean those two are embarressed about holding hands just the absurd amount of attention ....

its not what you do its how others treat you for it.

[Hum]

I have been needlessly embarrassed at times, therefore I would have not made fun of them.

[Shane Nokes]

all the people staring at them .... while they sit in the middle of them the big circle of people ... on school chairs .... not being funny but I hate being stared at ... and I hate people taking my photo .... I find it degrading like im some kind of circus chimp .... people may have been picking on them for them holding hands but does not mean those two are embarressed about holding hands just the absurd amount of attention ....

its not what you do its how others treat you for it.

I find it humorous that in your attempt to prove me wrong your post points out why I am right.

Just sitting in two chairs wouldn't have led to a crowd. It was the holding of hands that caused the issue. The fact that it embarrassed them allowed the crowd to exploit that discomfort.

If they hadn't cared about their own personal image the crowd wouldn't have had anything to thrive in.

As I said insecurity...

[Original Poster]

I find it humorous that in your attempt to prove me wrong your post points out why I am right.

Just sitting in two chairs wouldn't have led to a crowd. It was the holding of hands that caused the issue. The fact that it embarrassed them allowed the crowd to exploit that discomfort.

If they hadn't cared about their own personal image the crowd wouldn't have had anything to thrive in.

As I said insecurity...

I fart all the time .... just because a crowd finds it nasty or disgusting and stares at me for it doesnt mean i find it nasty ... but im still going to feel self concious and embarressed that people are staring at me ...doesnt matter what for .... I did not prove you right, you just seem to think because I cant prove you 100% wrong means that you are right .... im not trying to start an arugment over this im simply saying they dont have to be embarressed because they are holding hands but not to say the public display didnt start the crap it just means the people in the crowd are the insecure ones

[John S. Veteran]

Mesa district: Punishment of holding hands violated policy

Mesa Public Schools officials say a punishment administered by a new principal at Westwood High School this week violates district policy.

?Mesa Public Schools is dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. The district has guidelines for appropriate student discipline, and our site administrators have the authority to impose consequences within our policies and regulations. The district does not condone the choice of in-school discipline given these students, regardless of their acceptance or willingness to participate. District leadership will address this matter with the school principal, and review district protocol regarding student discipline with all administrators.?

[Xilo]

In school and out of school suspension someone mentioned by and large isn't much of a form of punishment, but this is perfect.

[Matrix XII]

That's actually a good idea for a punishment! haha

[Twiddle]

Doesn't help he is wearing pink. :p

[Matrix XII]

Doesn't help he is wearing pink. :p

lol! I was thinking the same thing! ;)

[exotoxic]

Seems like a good idea to me. Too bad when someone comes up with a creative punishment that really is no problem it gets shot down by the ***** brigade :/ I bet this would work 789436598734698x better than detention/suspension.

[Growled Member]

It was of course overboard in this time of political correctness.