Child abuse rule?

Question

Is it true that...

"If you hit a kid, and it leaves a mark, its abuse.

But if you hit a kid, and it DOESN'T leave a mark, its discipline."?

Answer 1

False.
Just because you do not leave a mark doesn't mean that it isn't abuse therefore it is okay. There are many types of child abuse out there and hitting children especially with their pants down is both physical and emotional abuse. Hitting interferes with a child's mental health or social development. Alot of people say they were hit and they deserved it or they feel that they turned out fine and will continue the cycle.

If you are a good parent that uses proper techniques of discipline you should be able to do it in public, at home, infront of police officers etc and be proud that you are not hiding your discipline style. Any form of discipline that people say "Only spank them at home, don't do it in public." Is hiding something. When you have to hide something like that, isn't that a big red flag? You have to wonder...
All types of hitting sends the wrong message to kids. There are other methods of discipline, it just takes some intelligence.

Answer 2

It's more a legal issue. Legally someone may not be charged for child abuse if there is no bruising because it would not pan out in court.

That does not mean that the child in question wasn't abused however, and most investigators will still look into this and open a case.

It's hard to define abuse on some scales because there are varying levels and degrees that follow different guidelines.

For example:

A child may not be physically hit, but may endure weird and obscure punishments that would be considered ethically wrong and abusive.

These behaviors will still get filed under abuse cases, because it affects the overall psychological patterns of the child's development.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Wow...this not only differs from state to state, but also from county to county. Generally if you leave any kind of mark it is considered abuse. However, just because you do not leave a mark does not mean it is not abuse. Generally if the physical discapline is on the rear end, and sometimes the back of legs or hand and does not leave a mark it is considered discapline. Hitting anywhere else, even if it does not leave a mark, can be considered abuse. However, due to the overwhelming concern of child abuse, many police officers will arrest you on the spot if they witness you spanking a child (even if it is being done correctly) so I never reccomend physical discapline in public. Another thing to consider, is that many childrens services offices are now taking a big interest in psychological abuse and if they can connect the dots from correct physical discapline to psychological harm, it becomes abuse. For instance, if you sprayed cold water in your childs face when he misbehaved (there would be no physical abuse) but it could be found to by psychological abuse.

Answer 4

Abuse leaves a mark either way and a lot of the marks you can't see because they are "mental". God Bless.

Answer 5

No they are both abuse! Some people say that only if you leave a mark it's abuse but I think that's just an excuse to abuse their kids.

The difference in not leaving a mark and leaving a mark is that your most likely to only get caught abusing your child if they have a mark or marks.

The person who answered before me who was talking about shaking your kid, oh yeah thats bright kill them by shaking their brains out... so stupid

Either way both are wrong!

I was spanked as a child and I can tell you straight up whether my parents left a mark or not was not the point. These idiots on here don't seem to realize that hitting your child to accomplish the behavior you want them to have only will later on cause your child to think it's okay to hit to get someone else to do what they want them to do. PERIOD!

I think in all situations no child should be spanked or hit. If your child does run into the streets for whatever reason instead of spanking or hitting them once you get them safely out of the street you explain to them how they could have been seriously hurt, that a car could hit them and kill them.

If they color on the walls that calls for making the child cleaning up the mess and explaining to them that it is not acceptable and that only coloring on paper is.

There are all kinds of alternative ways to teach your child why things are not acceptable without resulting in spanking/hitting.

Answer 6

true by whose standards? that is the general definition in the eyes of the law but everyone has their own limits. Definitely if it leaves a mark it's considered abuse but i think there can be some abuse that doesnt leave a mark too. anything excessive would be considered abusive

Answer 7

i called CPS on a family that verbal and emtionally and mentally abuses their kids. Their was no bruiese and the family SEEMS so nice... nothing happened and the parents never got help.. and the kids come home ever day from school to get yelled at screamed at, chased aroudn the house, sworn at, and belittled

Answer 8

This is what the bible says...

Colorado law defines child abuse to include any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, failure to thrive, burns, fractures, etc. and the condition is not justifiably explained or the circumstances indicate that the condition was not accidental. For purposes of the child abuse law, parental discipline through spanking may not be justifiable if the child is bruised or otherwise injured. Thus, spanking is not illegal, but injuring a child is. Appropriate spanking only leaves temporary redness of skin, and never bruises or injures. Spanking works, but must be used thoughtfully and carefully in conjunction with other disciplinary measures.

Answer 9

never heard that one. I have been spanked when I was a child when it did leave a mark. I do not think I was ever abused. I dont think I have ever left a mark on my children but I do pop them on the bottom at times. I dont think you should swat them anywhere but on the bottom or very top of the legs. I do not believe in poping them in the mouth.

Answer 10

On the tush, it's called a spanking. Very legal, and very useful as a last resort. Every state in the US defines child abuse differently, however NO state has made the method illegal. They tried to pass a "No spanking" law in California for children under 3 years old. The bill had almost zero support and was shot down overwhelmingly. A poll taken in one of the most liberal areas in CA (bay area) showed 91% opposed the ban. Many people agree, this bill was a step over the line. Us Americans enjoy our rights to a FREE country.