A parent has been blasted online after he called a teacher "dumb" for not allowing his daughter to do a book assignment about a graphic novel.
In a viral post shared on Reddit's infamous AmITheA**hole page, user YouShouldReadIt1 explained his daughter had done a book assignment on the graphic novel Watchmen.
Watchmen, by British author Alan Moore, was critically praised when it was released in the 1980s and includes scenes of murder and references to rape.
The Reddit user said the email from the teacher stated children had to do reports on books that were more than 75 pages in length.
As a result, the parent's daughter chose Watchmen as her book and handed in a report but was told to redo it.
In the Tuesday post, the user said: "My daughter wanted to do her report on Watchmen. It's her favorite book. I saw no problem with his. Book reports needed to be emailed in by August 1 so they can be given back to kids on the first day of school as their first grade.
"I got an email this morning stating that my daughter needs to redo her report, as a graphic novel isn't a book."
The Reddit user continued: "I responded that a graphic novel is a book and if there is a rule against novels that need to be stated in the instructions. The teacher said it was obvious.
"We went back and forth a couple of times, so I just forwarded the emails with the original assignment attached to the principal and told him to assign my daughter a teacher who can read directions, because this one clearly can't.
"I told my wife about it and she's mad at me. She said I should have tried to handle things more diplomatically and am making us look bad to the principal.
"My argument is that if this teacher is too dumb to read her own assignment, why is that our daughter's problem."
Since the post was shared, it amassed more than 6,700 upvotes and some 1,500 comments.
Many of those who commented on the post dragged the Reddit user and said he had acted out of line when he called the teacher "dumb."
Several reacted strongly in their replies, as teachers are among the most respected professionals in the country.
A 2022 study by career website Zety found of the more than 1,000 people surveyed, 82 percent viewed the profession with high or very high respect.
One Reddit user, whose comment was upvoted more than11,300 times, wrote: "This had better be a troll. Watchmen is in no way appropriate for a 6th grader. It has way too many adult themes.
"Graphic novels are not the same as books when it comes to word count, descriptive language and vocabulary. So much is portrayed in imagery rather than word form.
"And throwing a tantrum about it is just so immature. You're acting like you're the one starting 6th grade, not your daughter."
Another added: "I was reading Anne Rice when I was 10. I did a book report on Interview With The Vampire when I was 12. OP [original poster] is still TA [the a**hole]. F**k them for calling the teacher dumb."
While a third commented: "I was reading way above my level at 8 years old too. My parents encouraged it even. I'd be more pissed off [that] the teacher assigned them homework before the year even started but that still doesn't give OP the right to treat the teacher like that. OP YTA [you're the a**hole]."
Newsweek was unable to contact YouShouldReadIt1 for comment as the post has now been deleted and the account has been suspended.
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