When Parents Attack?

This article discusses the increase in attacks on US educators in recent years. It shows how the movement about parental rights in schools has spawned a belief by some people, largely on the political Right, that what they want for their children is the most important thing. As such, some parents are outraged that schools teach certain curricula, allow certain materials, took certain measures to protect their children from the COVID-19 pandemic, and even educators dare to discipline their children for classroom disruptions. This idea that educators are undermining their parental rights has become a moral panic among many conservative-leaning politicians and voters. The article includes descriptions of several incidents in which parents in the United States have verbally and physically attacked public school teachers. It then identifies their motivations and describes the context of the attack, drawing on the literature about moral panics. Further, the article discusses the effect of these assaults on students, teachers, education systems more broadly, and public policy. It concludes with implications for educators and administrators, particularly those who focus on school safety and the development of more peaceful schools.