For several years, there has been a tendency for government programs and policies to take a harder line against violence among young people. Initiated in the wake of tragic events in which adolescents shot other students and/or teachers, this movement has led to the reorganization of laws and regulations that concern youth. Early prevention and intervention in violent behaviour among young children seem to be related to the idea of preventing further tragedies when the child reaches adolescence. In this context, among the disciplinary measures now applied by the school in Ontario, external suspension raises the fundamental question: is it appropriate for children from 3 to 9 years old? Does it prevent violent behaviour against peers at school or to the contrary, does it aggravate the problem by hindering the child's educational and socialization process? If so, what disciplinary measures could be taken that would not deprive the student of these learning opportunities. To find out how parents feel about these questions, interviews were carried out with 60 families, whose children were in external suspension or facing possible external suspension for violent behaviour against their peers in French elementary schools in the Ottawa area. The results show that most parents disapprove of external suspension, the majority greatly preferring internal suspension. Moreover, they believe that the school should use non-coercive disciplinary measures. However, these measures require more openness and flexibility than the framework of the new school security law allows. (OME, 2000a).