Is slapping a child repeatedly in the face because of something they said considered abuse?

Answer 1

Yes because the child was just be a child and you slap them just because they said something to tick you off. If a child said something wrong talk with the child don't hit the child.

Absolutely.

The legal definition of physical child abuse is that action which causes injury to the child (bruises, abrasions, cuts, broken bones, etc.)regardless of whether an instrument (paddle, belt, etc.) was used.

The definition of any person who physically or verbally attacks someone who is smaller than they are is a "bully".

Parents who resort to such action should become knowledgeable in other means of affective discipline for the good of themselves and other family members.

Consider this fact, if an adult slaps another adult because they did not care for something that person said, he or she could be charged with criminal assault and/or battery and also face civil action.

That being the case, children should be afforded the same protection under the law even when it involves supposedly parental discipline.

Answer

Yes it is and a parent shouldn't do anything more than give a warning first, then if the child doesn't listen a moderate spanking on the butt (with the palm of the hand) and no spoons, belts or other objects. There is also the good old fashion "stick the bar of soap" in your child's mouth for 10 seconds to smarten them up and then make sure they rinse their mouth out well after. My parents did that to my brother and I if we were rude or swore.

horrified

I am horrified by the above answer. Soap in the mouth is still abuse. anyone who does anything that distresses someone, smaller, younger, weaker or n a more lowly position is still a bully.

If you did that to another adult it would be called assault and you would be hauled into court.

Answer

Horrified. Get a life! A few seconds of a mild bar of soap in a child's mouth (for swearing or being rude to adults when all else fails) IS not considered abuse and is a quick way to stop these bad habits and it's certainly better than having to spank your child every time you turn around!

Take a look around ... you are the parent (higher position), they are the children and YOU are suppose to teach your children good skills such as good manners, to consider others and that life out there is full of hard knocks and no one is going to put up with a spoiled and unruly child! Why do you think they brought back the no spanking law in British Columbia! You should have a look at the movie "Christmas Story" because it sure brings back memories to me and it didn't make my brother and I bumbling idiots for the rest of our lives.

AnswerI can understand why one would be horrified by the above statement about "washing a child's mouth out with soap." There are many nasty, if not, harmful chemicals in soaps such as perfume (alcohol and essential oils), tallow (fat mixed with lye), sulfates (salts made of sulfuric acid), and whatever other compounds that make up some of the other ingredients. It's basically the same as if you were to squeeze a bottle of shampoo or dishsoap into their mouths. Even if they don't swallow it, they swallow some. Would you swallow "some" perfume or "some" lye? Probably not.

Humilitation and degredation may teach a child not to do it again in front of their parent, but it also breeds hate, anger, resentment and possibly revenge.

A child is a student of life. Apples don't fall far from their trees. If a parent slaps a child repeatedly or forces chemicals like soap into a child's mouth, they probably got that from their own parent (or other "responsible" adult). It is a BREAKABLE cruel cycle.

Answer 2

In California this would be considered abuse. There are some legal was to restain a child, the methods and type are depending on the child's age and situation. Striking a child in the face or hitting a child on the head is abuse and can cause injury to the brain. Absolutely. You should seek help with your child or children if you find you are having difficulty controlling them without abusing them. Slapping and restraining them is physical abuse and will ultimately hurt them and when children get hurt what do they do - cry harder and uncontrollably - it is not serving a purpose.