Abby Mills seems to be latest victim of video shaming. While some seem to think that this is a character building practice, others think it has gotten out of hand. We will let what we know so far speak for itself. Other than that, do you think this is a good way to discipline our youth?
Evidently, Indiana father Gary Mills seems to think that video shaming is the way to go. Not only was his daughter Abby made to hold a sign, as inquisitor.com reports:
“…she was forced to walk up and down the street near the Wayne County Courthouse, police department, and sheriff’s office where they took tours and spoke with local law enforcement officers.”
The sign in question read:
“My Name is Abby Mills & I Am A Liar & A Theif! I’ve Stolen From My Parents Brothers, 4 Sisters, Aunt & Uncles I Even Stole My 9yr Old Cousins Christmas Presents.”
I understand why this father may have been mad and wanted to video shame his daughter, but you would think that he could have at least used proper English, especially the spelling of “Thief.” Even if you put that all aside though, is this really the best way to teach our children right from wrong?
According to inquisitor.com, Abby seems to be understanding as to why he father decided to video shame her. In the article she is quoted as saying:
“I know I deserved it. I was embarrassed at first, but I’m glad he did it. I know I deserved it.”
To put the video’s message into perspective, the father starts out the video like this:
“Alright everybody my names Gary Mills, this is my daughter. She will never learn to keep her sticky fingers out of other people’s property. She has stolen from her mother, she has stolen from me, she has stolen from her step-mother, her brothers and her sisters. Indiana does not have a program that allows teens to see what inside of a jail-cell looks like to keep them out of trouble. You can call it a little tough love or a little tough justice.”
While I can understand where this father is coming from, it’s a comment later on in the video that seems to go a little too far. Making your child understand that there are consequences to their actions is one thing, but the following remark seems a little too much. As Mr. Mills puts it:
“Take a good look, look at me, take a good look at this girl. I want everybody to share this video, so everybody in the world will know, my daughter’s a thief, and I’m sick and tired of it. You just stand there for a few minutes…My mother always told me that I was going to have a child that’s ten times worse than me, well here she is.”
Mr. Mills, I understand you frustration, I’m sure my dad does also, but he would never choose to speak about me in this manner. Tough love or video shaming? I’m anxious to hear your opinions.
