Isnt this child abuse?

Question

we were at my brothers house today. he has 4 kids. a 2 year old, 4 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old. Kylie(1 of the 4 year olds) hit Jaryd(4 year old) with her hand. not even hard enough 2 get Jaryds attention. and Keith grabbed kylie by the hand dragged her into the kitchen, grabbed a belt and hit her 6 times and made her appologize 2 Jaryd. he says its not child abuse its disipline. is it child abuse. i know it is but he dont beleve me

Answer 1

I wouldn't classify that as child abuse.  Maybe hitting 6 times with a belt is a little excessive, but to be honest...  I think our society is too spineless when it comes to raising kids.  I'm sorry, but I'm siding with your brother on this one.  Plus, it's his kids.  You can't tell him how to raise his own kids.

Answer 2

OMG. yes that is child abuse. I discipline my son, but that is beyond discipline. I feel really bad for the kids especially being that young, he needs anger management.

Answer 3

It seems your brother really overacted in this situation.  That said everyone disciplines their children differently though. Some people feel even spanking a child is wrong, others do not. Some people just send their child to time out etc. Though I would not agree with this method as long as there was  no severe bruising I wouldn’t call it child abuse.  It’s really up to  your brother and his spouse to decided how to discipline their children.

Answer 4

ohh sooo sad.  Yes child abuse!  There's different ways to teach children not to do certain things.  I hope there's something you can do about this. !!!

Answer 5

Well after my alcoholic abusive father and abusive mother beat me with a belt and 8 years of therapy to get over it as best as I can to move on in my life as an adult, I will passionately say that YES THAT IS CHILD ABUSE!

Answer 6

I believe its child abuse, but its what my parents did to me.  I would never do that to my kids, but I do believe it is.

Answer 7

I think he overreacted.  But he should discipline his children as HE sees fit.  I think a lot of the problems with today's youth, spring from a lack of punishment.

A spanking every now and then never hurt anyone.

Answer 8

Child services defines spanking as just discipline and not child abuse if it is done with the palm of the hand only and it is done over the child's clothing. If it is done with the child's pants pulled down or on skin to skin contact (like the side of the face) or with a closed fist or object (like a belt) then it is considered abuse.

Your brother sounds like he is over stressed and confused. He may need anger management or child raising classes but it is usually impossible to get some one into these things with out a huge family intervention or a court order. I'm sorry your nephews and nieces are growing up in a household will they will learn to completely fear and resent the people they are supposed to trust most.

Answer 9

No, unless it leaves a mark for more than 24 hours.

You can thumbs down me all you want, but that is simply the fact. I don't agree with it either but the law is the law and I work in child services. You could get arrested for it, technically, in some states, but charges would never be filed.

Answer 10

Ehhh...not something I would ever do.  This is obviously what he learned from his parents.  These methods are outdated.  Tell him about the discipline theory of "Love and Logic."

http://www.loveandlogic.com/

Whatever you do, please do not judge this person.  We all make mistakes in life and he obviously needs a nudge in the right direction.  Some people truly believe in spanking their children (although belting is a step up from that...).  They believe that is the only way to "make them listen."  Obviously it does more harm than good, can damage self esteem, etc.

Answer 11

There is a child abuse hotline you can call that will not take your name, but you can ask questions, and the questions do not have to be about yourself. The number is: 1800-4-A-Child.

Also I think the definition of Child Abuse is anything that leaves something behind. Like a bruise or a scar, but that is just what I have heard.

Answer 12

in uk law its illegal and therefore abuse. you re not allowed to use anything to hit a child with except your hand, and even then you are not allowed to leave a red mark or it is considered abuse since the law change.

if that had been my brother im afraid i would have dished out some of his own treatment and thrashed him... but then my brother knows better than to do  something like that in the first place let alone in front of me.

its not discipline in my opinion but bullying. he could have reasoned with her or even tapped her hand but to belt a 4 year old 6 times is again in my opinion inexcusable.... he has left himself with no where else to go. if you hit you have lost it, he will eventually lose all respect form his children. But as  I said before...its just my opinion, what the law would make of it, well, the link below shows it is illegal and therefore considered abuse!

Answer 13

I believe that was entirely too harsh a punishment. Spanking with a belt is not abuse, however I do not believe a 4 yr old should be spanked like that.  A hand is enough. If you truly think your brother is abusing his kids, call CPS and report him. I know it will be hard since he is your brother, but think of the children. There well being is more important than making him upset with you.

EDIT The law varies in each state as to whether or not it is abuse to hit your child with something other than your hand. In Tx, it is not illegal to use a belt, it is illegal to leave bruises.

Answer 14

I think belt whoopings are not discipline but unnecessary force and abuse. There are other ways to discipline without hitting children. It sounds as if your brother has anger management issues that need to be addressed by a psychologist.

Answer 15

yes that is child abuse and he can go to prison for a long time if it is reported and any child has any sort of marking on them from him doing that. he does not need to be around the kids if he cannot deal with them properly.

Answer 16

well your brother better watch it or he  will be in prison i do think he should say kylie no hitting not abuse her. I totally believe this is child abuse  just please do all you can to not let it go further

Answer 17

Punishment is in the eyes of the beholder. You both see it differently. Me I see it (like you) as an overreaction to what could have be taken care of verbally. Child abuse "no." Overreaction "yes."

Answer 18

that is pretty o d

yeah i think it child abuse because he hit her six times

and he made her apologize

the way i waz growing up if i did any thing like that I would get smacked hard once and that it

lesson learned dont fight wit sibling

Answer 19

I dont think it is but thats way 2 harsh 6 times just for a little hit! thats not even a reason 2 spank that should be a timeout or something! that almost makes me cry that poor baby!!! does he have anger mangment?

Answer 20

Of course its child abuse. His an idiot for thinking otherwise. Gee it saddens me the way some people treat their own children!

**********Who ever is thumbs downing the answers that say yes have some serious issues. Idiots to think that this is discipline! Its abuse. Please, dont have kids!!!************

Answer 21

Depending on where you live.  Recently the Canadian courts ruled on the subject of "spanking" and declared that any force with anything other than a hand (the belt is considered a weapon in the context you described) or that leaves a mark (not including general redness right after a swift spanking) crosses the line.

Under Canadian law what your brother did would be considered excessive use of force with a weapon.  It is child abuse, and it is punishable.  Before you take action with the law though, I recommend you attempt to get your brother to seek anger management and parenting classes.

Answer 22

Yes, it is child abuse to beat a child.