Parenting styles differ, with parents using different types of punishment to teach their children. Most parents do not want to physically or mentally injure their child. However, punishment and abuse can be similar, with a fine line separating the two. Understanding where this line lies can be tricky. To help find it, you need to understand the concept of punishing your child and how it develops into child abuse.
History
Historically, disciplining a child was left up to the parents. In 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was passed to define abuse more clearly. This legislation passed as a result of severe child abuse cases demonstrating that some parents and caregivers severely abuse their children in the name of discipline. The act has since been amended several times. The legislation provides money to every state to provide education, assessment, investigation, legal assistance and treatment to the people of that state. Several non-profit and public agencies were created with CAPTA funding to help protect children that are abused.
Function
Child discipline shapes your child's behaviors and actions. Discipline is necessary to teach a child about society's rules and expectations. Children need to learn where boundaries lie so that they can understand the difference between right and wrong. Not disciplining your child is providing a disservice to him. However, using discipline on your child should be effective in teaching the lesson and should never harm your child. In some cases, child discipline can do damage. Child abuse is used to control a child to get the desired behavior and get the child to conform to the adult. Child abuse is also used to enact cruelty or done because the adult gets satisfaction from it. The Iowa Department of Human Services notes that abusive parents show a disregard for the child's welfare, needs, abilities or feelings.
Types
Child abuse can include psychological, mental, sexual and physical methods. Discipline can include enforcing time outs, spanking, grounding and verbal correction. Physical and emotional punishment can cross the line from discipline to abuse in two ways. Spanking a child can get out of hand when a parent becomes angry and reacts to something a child has done. Hitting a child so hard that it leaves bruises or marks is considered child abuse. Terrorizing, rejecting, ignoring, corrupting or isolating children crosses the line from discipline to abuse.
Time Frame
Disciplining your child should never be a lengthy thing. Discipline should be quick (given just after the bad behavior) and effective. For example, if you have a small child that needs discipline, put the child into a time out for a number of minutes equal to their age. If you discipline a child for a longer amount of time you risk further bad behavior because the child is going to forget the action for which he is being disciplined. A child should not have to live in fear of being disciplined. In contrast, abuse is usually ongoing and the child usually worries about when the next bout of abuse is going to occur. Abuse can sometime repeat itself for many years before the child has the opportunity to escape.
Effects
The effects of over or under disciplining a child can be detrimental. If you over discipline a child and do not allow her some autonomy, she may grow up being unable to think for herself. As children grow, they need to be allowed some independence to experience things. On the other hand, if you under discipline your child you may raise a child that does not understand that life has consequences. An under disciplined child may believe that she can get away with anything. This child may result to drug use or stealing and get into trouble with the law. In addition, abusing a child can also have detrimental effects. The Family Guide notes that abuse can cause destructive behavior, anger or cause the child to become withdrawn and depressed. Some children may even become suicidal.
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