The subjectivity of defining "child abuse"

[DrPhil]

Adrian Peterson apologizes:

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/a...g-child-091514

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How is "child abuse" culturally defined (which provides the foundation for the legal definition(s))? Who defines it? Who sets the standard?

There are cultural variations in all forms of human interaction including child rearing, child discipline, and what is considered child abuse.

When interacting with different cultures in the USA and around the world, you find that what some people consider discipline is considered abuse in some cultures. For example, some people may laugh and share stories of parents hitting them in the face, cursing at them, or beating them with shower rods, curtain rods, belts, switches and other items. This is the cultural standard and they share these stories with no sense that what they are saying is considered negative by some people.

[Low D Flat]

There are close cases. This wasn't one. Leaving lacerations all over a four-year-old's legs is monstrous. Especially when you figure that this was a man who lost another son when a grown man beat the child to death.

There are plenty of cultures where it's OK (or mandatory) to do things like razor off a girl's clitoris. A democracy is perfectly entitled to say that that's beyond the pale, and so was this.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by Low D Flat

There are close cases. This wasn't one. Leaving lacerations all over a four-year-old's legs is monstrous. Especially when you figure that this was a man who lost another son when a grown man beat the child to death.

Exaaactly.

And what could a four-year-old possibly do wrong to make a parent think that this was OK? Pee their pants? Color outside the lines? This is simply unacceptable. If the NFL wants to see "the legal process play out" prior to making any judgments, they should do so while Peterson takes a paid leave of absence.

ETA: DrPhil, I know that your question isn't directly related to the Peterson case, and it speaks more to the "definition" of child abuse in general, but I still wanted to make my point regarding the case.

I'm interested to see where this conversation goes...

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Low D Flat

Leaving lacerations all over a four-year-old's legs is monstrous.

A democracy is perfectly entitled to say that that's beyond the pale, and so was this.

Based on whose standard?

[DrPhil]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/char...-cbs-nfl-today

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story...devicecgbypass

http://www.businessinsider.com/19-st...ishment-2014-3

[thetalady]

For me, the line is crossed when you leave a mark on a child. How anyone can call leaving welts and lacerations acceptable discipline, I simply do not understand.

Charles Barkley had some interesting comments. Apparently child beatings are a Southern problem.

[Phrozen Sands]

I just looked at the photos. Wow! Just wow!

[thetalady]

With a second allegation of abuse filed prior to this one, Peterson may be losing some of his supporters. I certainly hope so.

[DrPhil]

Does anybody see a problem with drawing the line at leaving marks? So the behavior is okay as long as marks aren't left? What about if a parent grabs a child's arm and it leaves a scratch?

[AOII Angel]

This case also involved injuries to the child's scrotum. That IS abuse. I come from a family that whips. I was whipped numerous times growing up. I have mixed feelings about corporal punishment, but can't really argue with people who swat a few times over clothing. If a parent can't control themselves enough to make sure the child is not injured by the punishment, they should take a time out and cool down before administering discipline. Anger over the situation leads to these abuses in otherwise normal, loving parents.

[DrPhil]

As long as it is only a few times swat and it is over clothing?

There are families (and cultures) where it will always be more than a few times or that few times will be strong enough to leave a mark (at least a whelp). And removing the clothes, either completely or the pants, is standard.

There are also people who will report a parent for child abuse for "swatting a few times over clothing".

[AOII Angel]

There is evidence that any violent discipline is detrimental to child development. Reasonable people will disagree about whether it is appropriate to swat a child. I think you will be hard pressed to find a majority that agree with spanking to the point of whelps and bruises.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

As long as it is only a few times swat and it is over clothing?

There are families (and cultures) where it will always be more than a few times or that few times will be strong enough to leave a mark (at least a whelp). And removing the clothes, either completely or the pants, is standard.

There are also people who will report a parent for child abuse for "swatting a few times over clothing".

No child protective services is going to issue a complaint or keep a case open over a few swats on the bottom over clothing.

Psychology is a science. Many, many studies have shown that discipline that leaves marks that last several days is harmful to children from a developmental and psychological perspective. People don't get to maintain their traditions at the expense of a child's long term psychological health.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

There is evidence that any violent discipline is detrimental to child development.

Right, on what is this evidence based?

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Reasonable people will disagree about whether it is appropriate to swat a child.

It is this disagreement between "reasonable people" that furthers the debate over corporal punishment.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I think you will be hard pressed to find a majority that agree with spanking to the point of whelps and bruises.

If you are in a culture in which that is the standard, the majority within that culture will agree with spanking to the point of whelps and bruises.

Originally Posted by KDCat

No child protective services is going to issue a complaint or keep a case open over a few swats on the bottom over clothing.

Yes, some law enforcement and CPS will. If someone saw the interaction and felt it was too violent/aggressive and/or the child describes the incidents in a certain way.

[DrPhil]

Don't Rush to Judge Parents Who Use a Switch to Discipline Kids