Well, I certainly agree with you that the prisons are full of adults who were abused as children. I know it's popular in our culture to think if you don't discipline your child he's likely to end up in jail - but the opposite is true. Children who grow up to be criminals most always had very rough home lives.
But I also really believe we are robbing our children of the ability to soldier on through adversity, and rally on to succeed. It kind of seems like everyone wants the chance to be a victim of something. Used to be kids took great pride in being strong - "I ain't a-skeered", "I'm rubber, you're glue, what you say bounces off me and sticks to you".
It is an interesting question, what would life be like if no one was EVER treated unfairly or with disrespect EVER. I really do find that an interesting question. But since due to practicality, it won't ever happen, it's best IMHO to arm children with the ability to move on after a perceived slight.
Edited to add: And so, in that light, I think the mom might have told her son that she was sorry he didn't get his third chance to speak, but the program was great and people liked his performance. And then make an appointment with the principal and teacher to view the video of the last few seconds of the performance, and ask that the teacher apologize to her son. I don't think taking this public - where his name is forever out there as the child dressed in a turkey outfit will follow him for a long time, and the whole community is left to gossip whether this was deserved or not.
I agree. Adversity is good but we do not need to create it. We arm our children with love and problem solving skills. "You can't always get what you want, " nor should you. Teach them how to nadle their emotions in positive ways. But not on stage.