What is your opinion?

[1dayatatime]

ARS §8-201(2) "Abuse" means the infliction or allowing of physical injury, impairment of bodily function or disfigurement or the infliction of or allowing another person to cause serious emotional damage as evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or untoward aggressive behavior and which emotional damage is diagnosed by a medical doctor or psychologist pursuant to section 8-223 and which is caused by the acts or omissions of an individual having care, custody and control of a child. Abuse shall include inflicting or allowing sexual abuse pursuant to section 13-1404, sexual conduct with a minor pursuant to section 13-1405, sexual assault pursuant to section 13-1406, molestation of a child pursuant to section 13-1410.

That is the AZ law in regards to physical child abuse. Do you think asking a 4year old to hold a small water bottle in each hand either infront of her like candlesticks or above her head(her choice) for 2 to 4 minutes as a punishment child abuse? When a soldier acts up he does push ups, a student in a martial arts class would do push ups or sit ups, I consider this the same. Time out was not working, spanking was not working, taking away privaledges was not working, this is working. Like with all the other forms of punishment we explain why we are doing first, and what she could have done differently. What are your thoughts?

[jtee]

Good topic. I am going to move this over into the debate forum so parents can freely debate this.

I will post my thoughts after others have commented.

[Kaytee]

I have a few thoughts but it is late and I will do it tomorrow

[Teresa]

I don't know that I would call it abuse, but it's not something I would have ever done with a four year old.....or any other child, for that matter. I prefer to use consequences which apply directly to the misbehavior. So, unless she had done something specifically relating to the water bottle, I would see this as an arbitrary and senseless punishment that taught no real lesson.

[Kaytee]

I really like how Teresa phrased it. I will go with that as well. lol original I know

[Teresa]

Originally Posted by Kaytee

I really like how Teresa phrased it. I will go with that as well. lol original I know

Copycat! LOL

[Kaytee]

yep! lol

[Tau]

The act alone probably doesn't qualify as abuse - add enough shaming, yelling, and such however, and I think it would cross that line.

Its certainly close enough to the line that I would never feel comfortable doing it myself.

[Kaytee]

I could see it as a punishment for gym class. As long as it was not to the point of the child crying or being humiliated. It would be along the lines of having to run around the gym. Those are physical classes, but a parent.. its pushing. There must be a better way to handle this particular child then physical punishment.

[fallon]

I also don't think it's abuse, but like the others said I don't think it would be a punishment I would use in my home. If you don't mind me asking what kind of behavior is leading up to a punishment like that? (don't take that wrong, like I said I don't think it's abuse...I was just wondering)