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AIBU?

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Original poster

DD being asked to design a torture method for homework??

398 replies

milkysmum · 29/03/2022 16:46

DD has been set her history homework for this week. She has to design a ' new Tudor Torture device'. Draw it, label it etc and explain why it would be more effective than previous know torture devices! AIBU that this is a bit unnecessary? They are year 8. Do they really need to be encouraged to think of new ways to torture people!?

OP posts:
tkwal · 29/03/2022 20:13

Thewindwhispers
I never suggested that torture was fun. Torture was devised to get information out of people. The methods I suggested (not entirely seriously) would get information out of me more quickly than you take offence. The homework that was set was to encourage the pupils to think, and consider the reasoning behind various methods, I don't believe for a moment it was intended to glorify torture.
Are you one of those who tries to shield preteens from the Horror of Ukraine? They need to learn and understand things that happened in the past (or even now)and how they came about so they can learn how to avoid making the same mistakes all over again. They need to know that you can't kill or torture someone unless you dehumanise them first and how not to dehumanise them. They need to understand the sociological and economic conditions that caused hatred to spread. That it was (for example) the overly harsh conditions of the treaty of Versailles that ultimately led to WW2 and the genocide of minorities. And yes, I also remember James Bulger. My son is almost exactly the same age as he would have been. His killers learned about torture and sadism due to the brutish circumstances they were brought up in and watching fictionalised scenes of killing. Not from doing homework about things that really happened

pleasehelpwi3 · 29/03/2022 20:15

As a teacher I wouldn't set this homework in primary school!
That said, and having taught Year 8 as well as a secondary school teacher, I don't think it's a terrible homework. It will really engage some of the children in the class. For all the people saying go to the head and write letters of complaint first- maybe speak to the teacher first. It sounds like they might be recently qualified....
To the pp who said that just because we don't do something now it's not worth learning about, you've pretty much missed the point of history.

Littlepaws18 · 29/03/2022 20:17

@tkwal

Thewindwhispers I never suggested that torture was fun. Torture was devised to get information out of people. The methods I suggested (not entirely seriously) would get information out of me more quickly than you take offence. The homework that was set was to encourage the pupils to think, and consider the reasoning behind various methods, I don't believe for a moment it was intended to glorify torture. Are you one of those who tries to shield preteens from the Horror of Ukraine? They need to learn and understand things that happened in the past (or even now)and how they came about so they can learn how to avoid making the same mistakes all over again. They need to know that you can't kill or torture someone unless you dehumanise them first and how not to dehumanise them. They need to understand the sociological and economic conditions that caused hatred to spread. That it was (for example) the overly harsh conditions of the treaty of Versailles that ultimately led to WW2 and the genocide of minorities. And yes, I also remember James Bulger. My son is almost exactly the same age as he would have been. His killers learned about torture and sadism due to the brutish circumstances they were brought up in and watching fictionalised scenes of killing. Not from doing homework about things that really happened
I couldn't disagree more. There is no merit in comparing made up history with events that are happening today. It would be more relevant to compare the power of medieval kings to leaders in the modern world- which is often done effectively and would pose deeper thinking opportunities.
AnnesBrokenSlate · 29/03/2022 20:17

@Ionlydomassiveones

I would be asking the Head of History what historical knowledge or skills your dd will be learning by completing this task. At best it’s a creative, imagination task - so art or literacy - no history being studied there whatsoever.
Did you miss the part where it says they have to refer to the information already provided? That means using sources; assessing sources and drawing conclusions. All of which are key components of studying history. This isn't dehumanising work. It's the opposite. It's about realising why torture is dehumanising and why it is ineffective as a source of accurate information.
SometimesRavenSometimesParrot · 29/03/2022 20:19

Totally not helpful for OP but I had to watch Hostel in a film studies class and our discussion task after was to debate how it might expand into a franchise….we are all quite undamaged by this, but we were 17 at the time

Littlepaws18 · 29/03/2022 20:21

It's not asking to make up a device, it's not asking the student to assess the sources- even if they were used, it would be inappropriate as it's asking them to create something that doesn't exist. Source analysis assessed the utility (usefulness) or a source, sufficiency (is there enough information in the source to support an answer) or reliability ( can you trust a source based on its provenance) all of which are not addressed in this homework.

Littlepaws18 · 29/03/2022 20:21

Ignore the first 'not'!

Aisforharlot · 29/03/2022 20:22

I have OCD and at that age, with no coping mechanisms, i literally couldn't get horrific images out of my head. This hw would have been awful for me.

HeArInGhandsgirl11 · 29/03/2022 20:23

@tkwal

How about encouraging her to design a non lethal , non harmful (in the longer term) method of torture ? Like...putting someone's feet in stocks and tickling them with a feather or designing a machine that would scrape nails down a blackboard ?. (I would spill the beans at the first touch of the feather) Fwiw I remember reading about torture devices from various ages in primary school. I know the thought of torture isn't pleasant but it was a reality in most of Europe for centuries and still is in certain parts of the world. Please don't encourage youngsters to be snowflakes
Good idea
Winterflower84 · 29/03/2022 20:24

How absolutely idiotic! Can they not do Tudor science/technologies/fashion/food etc?

Grilledaubergines · 29/03/2022 20:28

I really can’t see an issue. Do kids need to be told that having 6 wives and bumping off a third of them of them is wrong before they learn about Henry VIII? Or can it safely be assumed that they are intelligent enough not to copy? It should engage the children in the subject. If the result of this project is fear that a child will replicate the torture instrument and use it then I’m sorry to say the history project is the least of that parent’s issues.

RosieRoww · 29/03/2022 20:29

Wtf, this is insane.🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤕

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 20:33

Torture was devised to get information out of people.

No it wasn’t it was devised to torture people. It’s never been an effective method of getting accurate information.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/03/2022 20:33

@Grilledaubergines

I really can’t see an issue. Do kids need to be told that having 6 wives and bumping off a third of them of them is wrong before they learn about Henry VIII? Or can it safely be assumed that they are intelligent enough not to copy? It should engage the children in the subject. If the result of this project is fear that a child will replicate the torture instrument and use it then I’m sorry to say the history project is the least of that parent’s issues.
Isn't it more that the assigned work is to come up with a new and inventive way to torture fellow humans?
Newbabynewhouse · 29/03/2022 20:34

Oohhh no dont like this... as a teacher in training i would never set this!.. maybe teacher was in a rush when planning and thought "oh shit i need an idea quick..i know torture method design" Grin

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/03/2022 20:37

Maybe you could email the teacher some ideas for future homework:-

  • bullet point how you would murder, and how you would try to get away with it
  • storyboard a porno
  • come up with a new method of abortion
  • create a sewing pattern for a stripper costume for a toddler

It's fucking mental.

Stinkywizzleteets · 29/03/2022 20:37

Aside from OP’s child I’d guess the history teacher gets a high degree of student engagement with this homework.

It may be unconventional but it will have kids getting actively involved which is something most teachers would love to see. It’s far more interesting that memorising Henry 8th’s wives and means of death/reason for divorce. It would open up discussion on morals and ethics.

I’d have loved this kind of homework as a kid.

TatianaBis · 29/03/2022 20:39

This isn't dehumanising work. It's the opposite. It's about realising why torture is dehumanising.

What about devising a torture method is realising why its dehumanising? It’s entirely practical not analytical or philosophical.

It’s not an essay question asking the student to analyse the inhumanity of torture.

KevinTheKoala · 29/03/2022 20:41

Honestly, for a lot of year 8 children this might engage them more than a more conventional homework. It is a bit gruesome and distasteful but a lot of history is. That is why the horrible histories series used to be so popular because those details that we tend not to want to discuss with children are more interesting than other parts. This homework will encourage them to look at what they have learned and how the justice system in the Tudor period worked, I'm sure they will be able to understand that it isn't a system we would want to go back too and I would imagine there will be a discussion on how unfair it was (and why it is wrong to torture people - although that certainly does still happen even in 2022 its just more discrete and thankfully not often aimed at the average person). I don't think this is necessarily a bad task to be set.

Pumperthepumper · 29/03/2022 20:43

@Stinkywizzleteets

Aside from OP’s child I’d guess the history teacher gets a high degree of student engagement with this homework.

It may be unconventional but it will have kids getting actively involved which is something most teachers would love to see. It’s far more interesting that memorising Henry 8th’s wives and means of death/reason for divorce. It would open up discussion on morals and ethics.

I’d have loved this kind of homework as a kid.

Surely if you wanted a discussion about morals and ethics, his treatment of his wives would be an ideal place to start?
XenoBitch · 29/03/2022 20:43

What does your DD think?

BellePeppa · 29/03/2022 20:48

That’s horrible and I would let the school/teacher know. I wouldn’t let my child do that particular assignment.

Littlepaws18 · 29/03/2022 20:49

History can be incredibly engaging and it's not simply about memorising dates, history teaching has vastly moved on since then. There are many, many ways of creating engagement and it doesn't involve making up the past with shock topics that are not relevant to the National Curriculum.

BiscuitLover3678 · 29/03/2022 20:50

This is quite messed up. Sure talk about what was used and what you think about it - even that is a little dehumanising imo but ok fine. To create one though? No,not normal.

dapsnotplimsolls · 29/03/2022 20:51

I'm a History teacher and I wouldn't dream of setting this.