Erica DeRamus Chose Suspension Over Paddling For Too-Revealing Prom Dress (VIDEO)

Erica DeRamus was suspended from her Oxford, Alabama high school for arriving at the senior prom in an outfit that violated the dress code. DeRamus was told her dress was too short and too revealing up top, but her mom said she wouldn't have bought it if she thought there was too much cleavage. Perhaps most shocking is that as punishment, DeRamus had to choose between suspension and being paddled...and of the 18 students who violated the dress code, DeRamus was the only one who chose suspension. The other 17 picked paddling.

WATCH:

Comments

[Labyrinthia]

12:10 AM on 05/31/2010

Oh, that's just stupid. If a student violates dress code at the prom, then you turn them away. No need to paddle or suspend them. And as an aside, we need a federal law prohibiting corporate punishment in publicly funded schools. I do not want my tax dollars to go pay for a person to be assaulted!

[meganmaureen]

08:20 PM on 04/26/2010

I do agree that the form of discipline is outdated but as an educator I don't think that it's fair or rational at all to assume that the person doing the paddling is creepy or benefiting sexually in some way. Granted there are some odd ducks out there who do enjoy it, but that is outside of the education spectrum. I'm glad the school is sticking to their guns about the dress code- modesty is such an important value to learn, and whether or not it's better or worse than other dresses, it still was against the rules for that particular school.

[mccoyl09]

06:50 PM on 04/26/2010

Wasn' t paddling out lawed in the 1960s or around that time. I have always been told that when I start teaching I am not allowed to touch a student of hit them. The students could very easily turn it around and file sexual harrassment. The worst of all is that this goes on the girls school record. Being suspended from school can easily result in her not being able to go to the college she wants to because they see that she could be a problem to them. Honestly, I find it rather horrible to suspend someone for something as meaningless as what someone wears. Isn't school about learning not what they wear?!?!? In 10 years, they principal isn't going to remember what someone wore to prom. They are teenages and they are going to rebel, as did I. You have to choice your battles and this isntreally a battle that needs to be fought.

BUT the major question is...Was this a public school or a private? Public she can fight it and a very good chance of winning the fight.

[themidnightreview]

10:32 PM on 04/12/2010

They still allow paddling in schools???
-------------------------------------------
http://www.themidnightreview.com

[shamgar50]

01:46 PM on 04/08/2010

What kind of adult pervs want to paddle teen age girls? Besides, why would you respond to a "Dress Code" infraction with violence.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

11:11 AM on 04/08/2010

Backwards! Stop taking my freedoms away.............

[plumbergirl]

10:34 AM on 04/08/2010

I hear women in Alabama still stay in the kitchen and do whatever there man tells them to do. 100 years little change pathetic.

[tdm1bubba]

10:15 AM on 04/08/2010

It has been said by previous posters, but I'll say it again:

Why not just deny admission? Turn the dress code violators away at the door. No suspensions, no paddling. Just turn them away at the door.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

11:15 AM on 04/08/2010

because that would make sense

[ProudMilVet]

04:32 AM on 04/08/2010

This is like some of the stories i've heard about schools in some states making the Boys swim class practice in the Nude ! Sick ! !

[85Percent]

11:36 PM on 04/07/2010

I am sitting here nearly crying. I thought schools in the south had finally caught up with the rest of the country regarding the hitting of children. My memories of school in the fifties and sixties were not of myself getting paddled, but so many other children were paddled and slapped. Some needed medical attention afterwards. Back then doctors did not have to report abuse, and they would not get involved. And now I read that they are still paddling, and these parents are letting them get away with it? I don't care if a kid came to the prom naked. Where is the ACLU? These school personnel can do things to your children that would get you accused of child abuse. Wake up, southern parents. Do not let these perverts hit your kids.

[EJ Honda]

10:44 PM on 04/07/2010

Alabama? That's all you need to know...

[mandinka]

08:39 PM on 04/07/2010

her mom didn't think it was too revealing?? This was a rap shoot Mom, must want the welfare checks to start rolling in to support the new kids

[XXYR]

03:35 PM on 04/07/2010

Terrorists everywhere approve of beating students who show too much skin.

[chitown8]

01:50 PM on 04/07/2010

Paddling?

I wish someone would paddle my child. Lawd help them.

[ladydragon]

02:53 PM on 04/07/2010

Chitown8
I'm with you, you put your hands on my kid let alone my daughter God help you. See cmts below, you will find that poster: BJMFROMFL thinks it's OK if someone else administers corporal punishment to your child, where I'm from that is not ok especially over a "prom dress"

[Vurz]

06:04 AM on 04/07/2010

I cannot believe they still allow hacking (slang for paddling) in schools. I thought that went out of style in the 1980's, when they realized that it was used for old lechers to get their jollies.

Good for her that she chose suspension.