RIGHT WING EXTREMISM
‘I Would Never Spank an Emotional Problem’ Says Oklahoma Republican Voting Against Bill Banning Corporal Punishment

An Oklahoma Republican state lawmaker, psychologist, and self-described “mental health expert and foremost authority on classroom management and discipline,” on Tuesday argued against legislation that would ban children with disabilities from being spanked by school personnel. Before voting against the bill, Rep. Randy Randleman referred to students living with a disability who have emotional or neurological challenges by the term “emotional problem,” or “neurological problem.”
“A child could have dyslexia, and then you couldn’t spank him, correct?” Rep. Randleman asked the bill’s sponsor (video below), to which he received a “yes, sir, that is correct.”
“I know that you have always heard me talk that I would never spank an emotional problem, I would never spank a neurological problem, but if a parent has a choice, and they know that they can stop a misbehavior or a behavioral problem, is this bill stopping that?” Rep. Randleman asked.
“It’s stopping the school personnel, you as a parent have the right to go down to the school and check your student out and do what you need to do,” explained the bill’s sponsor, Republican John Talley.
READ MORE: Donald Trump Just Called for Another Coup and Hardly Anyone Even Noticed
On his official Oklahoma legislature website, Rep. Randleman’s bio reads: “Dr. Randy Randleman has a passion for children. As a mental health expert and foremost authority on classroom management and discipline, Randy has worked in 155 school districts and 135 head start centers across Oklahoma, including those in his very own District 15.”
“Randy is certified as a teacher, counselor, principal, psychometrist, superintendent, and licensed psychologist,” it says, adding that he has a master’s degree in counseling from Northeastern State University, “and was certified in school psychology and psychometry at Oklahoma State University.”
He also has a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University (OSU) “in a combined program focusing on school and clinical psychology. Randy’s dissertation was ‘Managing Aggressive Children in the Classroom,’ and he has also helped develop an alternative education program that received national awards,” his bio reads.
“Randy has worked with troubled and challenged kids for his entire life to help restore hope and find a path for success. Helping humanity succeed is his life’s mission, and he is honored to bring his expertise as a psychologist to the Oklahoma House of Representatives as he represents the interests of his constituents in District 15. Randy works to bring mental health issues to the forefront of minds in the Capitol building.”
The bill failed to pass, as KOKH reports, meaning it will still be legal for teachers and school officials to use corporal punishment – spanking, sometimes with a heavy wooden paddle – on children living with disabilities.
Rep. Randleman also opposes bans on anti-LGBTQ conversion therapy, a disgraced practice which some have likened to psychological torture.
Watch Rep. Randleman below or at this link.
Oklahoma Rep. Randy Randleman (R) argues against banning corporal punishment for students with disabilities:
“A child could have dyslexia, and then you couldn’t spank him, correct? … I would never spank an emotional problem, I would never spank a neurological problem, but …” pic.twitter.com/UKyGXWnlvl
— The Recount (@therecount) March 14, 2023
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |