A Fine Line between Child Abuse and Discipline Child abuse is the physical injury of a child inflicted by a parent which ranges from superficial bruises, broken bones, burns, serious internal injuries and in some cases, death (Prevent Child Abuse America). Child abuse is a topic that causes rage in many discussions throughout the country because it is outrageous actions against innocent children. Many parents question whether discipline can become child abuse. Bell Hooks is an educated woman, feminist, and writer who has dedicated her life to teaching people about civil rights that every human being deserves. She wrote an essay in which she addresses her personal view on the way children should not be hit under any circumstances, because …show more content…
She only provides sources from adults who experienced child abuse; one example includes famous writer Bob Shelby, who was abused as a child. Hooks’ sources contain only people who dealt with child abuse, not physical discipline, like a slap on the hand. The simple act of hitting or spanking a child does not determine the love parents feel for their child. Growing up I was physically punished by my mother. The physical punishment involved spanking or a slap in the hand or arm; but it was never to the point where I was in so much pain or the hitting left me a bruise. Since I was the age of three, if I misbehaved I would receive some sort of physical punishment. I truly believe the physical punishment helped me because it made me think about my bad actions, and once I was hit, I no longer misbehaved. It taught me to be a better person. I have absolutely no doubt that my parents’ love me and I know they did it for my own good. The fact that I was physically punished as a child does not mean my parents stopped loving me for a second; I never questioned the love I felt from my parents. I do not think the physical punishment I received could be at all considered abuse. I have also had the experience to witness children whom their parents have not enforced physical punishment, and they are out of control. Children who did
In modern society, physical discipline is still considered a somewhat suitable way of teaching children how to behave in life, though it is decreasing in popularity as time goes on. When using physical discipline, the parent should never have the intention of causing harm, they should always have the intention of being constructive. Whether or not physical discipline results in a beneficial outcome is dependent upon how it is used. If it is the only, or primary, source of discipline, the outcome is generally unfavorable. Also, as said in an article by Larzelere and Kuhn, if the discipline is too violent, and results in the child becoming injured, the child is not going to retain the intended lesson (1). An example of non-abusive physical discipline is conditional spanking. Conditional spanking "is defined as about two open-hand swats to the buttocks when a parent is not angrily out of control" (Larzelere, Kuhn 1). This type of punishment "teaches a child to cooperate with the milder disciplinary tactic, thereby making spanking less necessary in the future" (Larzelere, Kuhn 1) . When parents decide to use physical discipline, the primary intention of the parent should always be that the punishment is being "used in such a way that [it] reduces the need to use it in the future" (Larzelere, Kuhn 1). A parent should never hit a child
Although some studies show that “a parent uses more corporal punishment from the time a child is 1 ½ to 3 years old (Socolar, R. S., Savage, E., & Evans, H. 2007, p.476). Most children get spank or punish, even do they do not know what they do; they are just a child who is trying to experiment with life. However, parents use corporal punishment in kids who are not capable of understanding jet. Nevertheless, these children are learning obedience through “use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience pain, but no injury, for the purpose of correction or control of a child’s behavior” (Fréchette, S., Zoratti, M., & Romano, E. 2015, p.135), (Straus and Donnelly 2001, p.4). Even so, the used of corporal punishment can make a child more aggressive instead of correcting their behavior, the frequent use of physical punishment the child thinks that is part of life, and that is the way to show love. Does corporal punishment is the only way that a parent can harm a child? Given a child whatever they want just because the parent does not want to deal with yelling, crying, or any action that would interrupt their
One of the most controversial topics is the difference between child abuse and child discipline. Abuse is any action that intentionally harms or injures another person. Discipline is punishment that is intended to correct or train. Some parents do not see the harm in their form of discipline, but others may view it as abuse. It may not be the parent’s intention to harm their child but it is something that occurs. “In 2012, state agencies found an estimate 686,000 of child maltreatment.” .*(*Kids Count) Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children (a report can include multiple children).
In bell hooks essay “Justice: Children Love Lessons” she states “that no can be rightfully claim to be loving when behaving abusively” most people would agree with this statement but we applied in the context of whether parents should have the right to discipline their kids or not I would have to disagree due to the fact that discipline and abuse is two different things. Abuse is when you treat someone with cruelty or violence. Discipline teaching someone
Do you know the difference between child abuse and discipline? Child Abuse is when someone physically and mentally hurts another person. Discipline is teaching someone or something to do the right thing. Child Abuse is very common in the United States. Many children suffer from bruising, swelling skin, and broken bones. Situations like this happen because of problems at home or personal problems. Parents at home abuse their children because of drinking and depression issues. In this crazy world, there are numerous types of abuses. There is sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and emotional or psychological abuse. Sexual abuse is an intentional incident that involves sexual relationship to a child using all their power and taking advantage of them. According to Family & Community Services, Physical abuse is a nonstop injury that happens more than one time. Neglect is a type of abuse you just don’t care or pay no attention to your child. Emotional or psychological harm is when you make your children think something that isn’t true. Discipline children usually do the things their parents or guardian tell them what to do because they teach them to pay attention and be polite.
My parents have different views on spanking. My father has never believed in spanking; therefore, I was never spanked by him. My mother on the other hand did believe in spanking. My mother is not the type of person to hit me over small meaningless things, but whenever she did hit me, she had a good reason to do so. For example, I remember being hit once because I made a man spill hot food on himself. My mother and I were at a part and I was 7 years old at the time. I
The common misconception that spanking is a form of child abuse affects the proper discipline of today's youth. Some parents are actually afraid to discipline their own children using the same method of belief from their own upbringing. Who is correct in the notion of right and wrong discipline? Is there such a thing as a correct way to spank your child? In my opinion, there is. So, my goal is to show that if the
The laws in the states back this theory by allowing the use of reasonable physical punishment that does not include a deliberate act to harm or injury children. (p. 1) The vague definitions of these state laws the failure to define the limits between discipline and abuse have led to inconsistent decisions in the judicial system across the country. Carlson, (2009) reported that although physical punishment may stop a misbehavior on the spot some of the times; the effects of continued physical punishment can lead to aggression and teach children continued abuse as they visualize the idea that power comes from a large individual forcing a smaller individual to do something regardless of what they are thinking. (p.2) The moment a parent physically disciplines children the stress may be released for that moment but that act of punishment escalates without the parent noticing. Soon, law enforcement officers at knocking on the door and another otherwise great parent is headed to jail or worse, does not get reported and gets to do it all over again next
The poll asked if a child less than one year old should be spanked. As a result, 81 percent of the mothers disagreed with spanking a child less than a year of age, and 19 percent believe a child under a year of age should be spanked (Jet 16). Then when asked if a child of 1-3 years old should be spanked, 26 percent disagreed with spanking at that age and an astounding 74 percent agreed with spanking a child of this age(Jet 16). When asked about the harshness of the spanking, 92 percent said they do not leave visible marks of damage while only eight percent say they do leave a mark upon the child (Jet 16). The results of both polls show consistent finding with the research of sociologist Richard J. Gelles, PhD, and director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island. He Believes ?Hitting children is so taken for granted in out society that almost all parent view spanking as an inevitable part of raising children?(Working Mother 48). He believes this ideology will remain apart of our culture because it is infused within each of us since birth (Working Mother 48).
Have you ever saw someone hit their child and thought to yourself was that abuse or discipline? Many people understand that punishment and abuse are different, but they don’t know what should or shouldn’t be considered abuse. Theres a big debate on if spanking should be considered punishment or child abuse. Studies have always shown that most abuse goes unreported. There is a point where discipline becomes abuse and that’s when discipline is unfair, anger driven, and inconsistent.
Jordan Riak, leader of Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education, once said, “Spanking does for a child's development what wife-beating does for a marriage.” Spanking has become a highly accepted form of child abuse in today’s society. Spanking can lead to psychological and mental struggles, behavioral and violence issues, lower cerebral capacities, and less remorse for wrongdoings as an adult. So why are we still choosing to hit our children? It is impossible for children to learn from their mistakes from spanking. The reasoning and understanding portion of their brain shuts down due to fear. However, when approached about their behavior verbally and when the issue is worked through reasonably with
Some parents think spanking a child is abuse when the parent hits a child for something he or she has done wrong like talking back to the parents. However, there are many parents who call it discipline. While some parents say it is a form of child abuse when children are spanked. Some caretakers never spank or hit children in their care as a means of discipline. Some parents are unaware of the types of problems they expose their children to if they hit them in order to discipline.
There are many things in our society today that unfortunately go overlooked. One such thing that is overlooked is the number of children who are being abused. Unfortunately these children are going through life not knowing whether or not their parents will loose their temper and perhaps kill them. There are many types of child abuse, such as physical, sexual, and emotional. Physical abuse is physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting, burning, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child. Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caretaker such as fondling a child's genitals,
Also, when they become an adult, they can become a cold and heartless person who is unable to love. 4. I will share with you a personal testimony from my friend, Brya Anderson that shared with me she was physically abused by her dad her spankings would be for everything. Because of this she became afraid of her dad and she grew distant from him, till this day she does not have personal relationship with her dad because of all the spanking she received when she was growing
As a child I was spanked when I did something wrong. My parents never left a mark on me what so ever. Being spanked taught me respect and kept me in line. The way my parents disciplined me, I think is an accepted method of punishment. I believe what parents do to their kids at home