America’s toughest parent
IN case you missed the viral video sensation, Tommy Jordan is the cowboy hat-wearing IT guy from North Carolina in the United States who responded to the disrespectful remarks his 15-year-old daughter Hannah posted on Facebook in a letter to her parents (with restricted access but which was found out by her father) by shooting at her laptop.
After reading out the letter, Jordan went on to lecture the girl before firing at her device on camera (not in her presence) nine times with his . 5. The eight-minute video has been up for worldwide viewing on Youtube (youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzridmu) since Feb 8.
Over 30 millions views (with many more likes than dislikes!) and hundreds of thousands of comments (including on his Facebook page) later, the debate on Jordan’s dramatic action has not abated.
In fact, more than notoriety Jordan has become a symbol of parental frustration in the digital age. What do his fellow American parents think of this so-called “postmodern act of vengeance”? Three of them state their opinions here.
Parenthots, meanwhile, weighs in on the Tommy Jordan issue with the views of local experts (
own videos.
US Child Protective Services has shown up on his doorstep, and Jordan has conceded that the video – and the shooting – was not “a good example of me as a father”. I would agree. The video (so public), the gun (so violent) are not good choices.
Yet, I understand exactly how Tommy Jordan feels, how desperate, how angry, how helpless. As a parent, I’ve questioned my role, my methods of discipline, my children’s disobedience and defiance – my very ability to guide them. I’ve been known to pinch, to yank, to holler, to tear through drawers and closets and read diary entries. Yes, I most definitely feel Jordan’s frustration.
So he may have been a bit over the top with his method. But his message? Right on the mark. Hear, hear, for tough love. – The Miami Herald/mcclatchy-tribune Information Services