When does hitting become child abuse?

Each case should be evaluated on its own merrit. DCF often oversteps its authority and does more bad than good. DCF is needed for extreme cases, but they have to let parents discipline their children. I was whacked in my behind many times as a kid and I deserved it every time. I don't know the details of the case in this story, so I cannot comment on it. The school nurse had to call DCF to cover the schools butt. When I was a kid, we respected our elders, teachers, parents, etc. Now, the inmates are running the assylum and the parents need to take back control. Just my opinion.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with belting a kid, especially in the 8-16 years old range, when they step out of line. The lack of just that type of action is why we have so many disrespectful little whiners who refuse to take responsibility for there own actions. And worse yet, the parents protect and enable these little b*st*rds, like the kid who ran down and killed the UConn student for example.

What then does dear Dr. Herman suggest? Taking away their I-Pod or curtailing their computer privileges? HA! I got belted a lot when I was a kid, I was a little wise-a** but, I can tell you there was only once the old man belted me that I felt I did not deserve it. He has been dead for twenty years now but, there are things still to this day that I sometimes feel the impulse to do that I do not because of what he taught me and the surety of his retribution. Unlike today there was the law, a fair one, and you knew what would happen if you stepped on the wrong side of it and what happened if you did meant something.

I used to get wacked with a SWITCH they would go out and get the thing vines branches that made that swhhwhwhw sound when you swung em man that shit hurt.

"Mental Health Professionals" are the people who, for example, pronounced child sex abusers cured and sent them back into schools and parishes.

I live in North Carolina, where child abuse is truly on the loose in our schools.

On December 13, 2007, Joey, age 12, was beaten black and blue by a teacher, who followed North Carolina law and McDowell County Board of Education policy to the letter, according to the feedback from all involved. Joey was punished for repeatedly telling another student to "shut up" who was bullying him.

This educator used two wooden boards, bound together with black electrical tape, to hit and injure this child. The paddle even has a name, "Black Betsy." Social services is unable to investigate, and the local district attorney failed to file charges. The injuries are well documented by police and medical reports, and high quality photographs. The local board of education refuses to hold this teacher accountable, and denies the need to change its policy.

We need to speak in one language when it comes to defining child abuse. If this is acceptable among our educated professionals, no wonder there is so much child abuse in the home.

I think I remember mouthing off to my Father once....not sure though that day is still a complete blur. Never mouthed off to either of my parents since. That much I do know.

Parents need to retake control of their children, teachers need to retake control of their classrooms.

Teachers hands are tied. My daughter is a first grade teacher. In order to get control of her class of completely indulged brats, she raised her voice. Parents complained that she yells too much and it hurts their childen's feelings. Parents need to take back control and stop acting like such fools.

The article starts by noting that professionals differ on how useful/harmful corporal punishment is, then goes on to only quote "experts" who believe corporal punishment is wrong. It took me 15 seconds of a searching to find several experts who feel spanking is useful and not detrimental. Has the author of this news (opinion) article ever heard of the internet?
It's unfortunate that the News Times seems to be heading down the advocacy journalism path. How about sticking to reporting the facts?

I understand your point St. Paulie Girl. I also believe that there should be security cameras in every classroom, to cover the teachers rear end, for when the parents start complaining. Then the school then can show the parents "This is how your brat acts in class. Do something about it or don't come back!"

huh wrote:

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with belting a kid" what a pure a%% H*OLE
stay in brazil, creep

Yeah I am a creep and an a**hole. I have just one question for you, to which I am sure I already know the answer.

Who runs your household?

hitting kids is not the answer to any problems, calling DCF is not the answer either.

Fireman: It would be great if a tape could be shown to parents of their childrens behavior. At least then, if they are already aware their kids are obnoxious, they can't deny it. Problem would be getting the parent(s) to show up to see it. The ones with the worst behaved children are too busy bringing their kids to Disney to bother with a meeting.

Just as an aside, my daugher told me that most of the kids in her class (there are 20) have been to Disney 4 times. These kids are 5 and 6 years old. Spoiled? Uh huh.

I got hit in catholic schools. Worked for me. Worked for my kids. A good belt does more than hold your pants up. Very effective with the pants down.

PAS wrote:

hitting kids is not the answer to any problems, calling DCF is not the answer either.

...and, praytell, what would your suggestion be?

Brazil, I do, I've and never hit my kid, never will, never needed to and my kid is not spoiled, is polite and respectful.

Train up your little darlings in the right direction now, or send them to the Parris Island etiquette school later. OohRah!!

sally wrote:

DCF=DESTROYERS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILYS,GUILTY TILL YOU PROVE YOURE INNOCENCE, YOU ARE ASSUMED GUILTY WHEN THEY GET A REPORT, YOU MUST PROVE YOURE INNOCENCE, AND IF YOU DO NOT COOPERATE FULL ON "THEIR" TERMS YOU ARE THREATENED WITH LOSING YOURE KIDS.HEARD TOO MANY STORIES (NIGHTMARES) ABOUT THSE PEOPLE BULLYING PEOPLE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY RAISE YOURE OWN KIDS.NOT DEFENDING PEOPLE WHO BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THEIR KIDS, BUT YOU ARE HARDLY ABLE TO DO ANY DISCIPLINE ANYMORE WITHOUT THEM BUTTING IN.

Perfectly said. Thank you.