Humiliation for two male high school students as they are forced to hold hands as a punishment for fighting

Humiliation for two male high school students as they are forced to hold hands as a punishment for fighting
By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 13:02 EST, 30 November 2012 | UPDATED: 15:20 EST, 30 November 2012

Controversy has engulfed a high school in Arizona as two students were punished for fighting by being forced to hold hands for an hour in the middle of the campus.

Freshman Charles Crockett, 14, and a sophomore known only as Julio got into a scuffle in P.E. class at Westwood High, Mesa, on Wednesday. School principal Tim Richards gave the boys a simple choice - be suspended or face some public humiliation.

Both students chose the less serious but more embarrassing option and sat with locked palms for over an hour in front of all their class-mates. The principal's actions are now facing criticism.





Westwood student Brittney Smyers, who witnessed the incident, told ABC News: 'Kids were laughing at them and calling them names asking, "Are you gay?"'

Another pupil, Mickey Shull, said: 'I've been in ROTC and it's no different than some of the stuff you have to do there. It works.'

The image of the boys holding hands and covering their faces was instantly passed around on Facebook, increasing the students' embarrassment.

Crockett admitted skipping school on Thursday, as he was being teased so much about the punishment. But when CBS5 asked what he had learnt from the episode the student replied: 'Don't fight in school.'

There has been plenty of criticism over the punishment. Several Facebook users described the tactic as 'inappropriate'.

Another commenter felt the incident encouraged bullying as the boys were targeted for name-calling as a result of the punishment.

Some maintained that the case sent a negative message to gay students, as it suggests that boys holding hands is a shameful act.

Principal Richards was appointed at Westwood High earlier this year and has ambitious plans to turn around a school that has suffered declining grades in recent years.



But not everyone agrees with his methods so far.

The Mesa Public School District representative has issued a statement in regards to this case:

'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.'

Tony Marino wrote:I bet they hooked up after school for a nice romp in t he hay.

Yeah, that's how guys become gay. First holding hands then next thing you know ... that slippery slope!

IDK, they were given a choice. They could have been macho and took the suspension then bragged about it later, maybe wearing their pants off their ass like the stupid thuggies.

By the fact that they chose to hold hands might be a learning experience that more males in our society need. Funny that in much of the world outside of our uptight little corner, str8 male friends hold hands all the time.

Shale wrote:
Yeah, that's how guys become gay. First holding hands then next thing you know ... that slippery slope!

IDK, they were given a choice. They could have been macho and took the suspension then bragged about it later, maybe wearing their pants off their ass like the stupid thuggies.

By the fact that they chose to hold hands might be a learning experience that more males in our society need. Funny that in much of the world outside of our uptight little corner, str8 male friends hold hands all the time.

RedBedroom wrote:Taking two kids already prone to fighting and giving all the fellow fighters in the school verbal ammo is really smart. Add to it all the gay male students get to hear even more disgusting anti-gay banter. Yeah, brilliant idea.

RobbieFTW wrote:The hand holding just made them targets to get picked on that might make em fight with others. The principal shoulda had them hold hands away from everybody the first time and told them they would have to do it in front of others if they fought again.