An American mother was so fed up with her daughter's poor school results, chronic lateness and backchat she sent her out on the streets with a placard proclaiming her indolence. Tasha Henderson took 14-year-old Coretha to a busy Oklahoma City intersection and made her stand there with a cardboard sign which read 'I don't do my homework and I act up in school, so my parents are preparing me for my future. Will work for food.'

The 34-year-old mother of three admitted hers wasn't a professional response to the problem and that her bizarre action may not even work but said 'I felt I owed it to my child to at least try.'

Ten days later she says Coretha's behaviour is much improved. Not without cost. For Tasha's actions have split the community. Some say they saw nothing wrong with it and at least it indicated she cared about her children while others have written angry letters to the press saying the mother needs education more than the daughter.

While Henderson stood next to her daughter at the intersection, a passing motorist called police with a report of psychological abuse and an Oklahoma City police officer took a report. The police took no action but a report was forwarded to the state's Department for Human Services. They refused to comment on whether any action would be taken but suggested any case would be a low priority.

Coretha said her treatment was humiliating but it had got her attention. 'I won't talk back,' she promised afterwards.

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