Discipline Vs Child Abuse

English 110
Danielle Stephen
10/8/14
“Discipline vs. Child Abuse”
Matthew A. Cornblith
Coleman University
1
How far is too far? Some people believe that child abuse is an acceptable form of discipline, however I do not. There is a fine line between discipline and child abuse. What is discipline? Discipline is “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.” (https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&source=hp&btnG=Google+Search&gbv=2#hl=en&gbv=2&q=discipline). What is abuse? Abuse is “to treat a person or animal with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly.” (https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&source=hp&btnG=Google+Search&gbv=2#hl=en&gbv=2&q=abuse+definition)
Child abuse can not only ruin a child’s childhood, it can ruin their life. Not only can child abuse mentally scar a child, it can make them fear other adults or even their own parent(s)/legal guardian(s). “Abused children are more likely to experience generalized anxiety, depression, truancy, shame and guilt, or suicidal and homicidal thoughts or to engage in criminal activity, promiscuity, and substance abuse.” (http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/child-abuse-causes-effects.html) These are some serious side effects of child abuse and it can be very detrimental to a child’s mental growth process. You can now see how child abuse can have such a major effect on a child and their life. As a parent/legal guardian you do not want your child/children to grow up with these problems. You want the best for your child and or children. You want to feel accomplished and not a failure as a parent/legal guardian. You want to raise your children right and teach them to be obedient, but child abuse is not the way to achieve that
Child abuse can mentally impair a child or even result in death. There have been many cases where child abuse has caused serious injury or even the death of a child. To put it simply, there is a huge difference between discipline and child abuse. There is no excuse or justifiable reason for child abuse. It is one hundred percent unacceptable as a parent/legal guardian. There is nothing that can be said that will ever make it justifiable. We have all been a child at one point in our lives and have most likely experience some form of discipline or even child abuse. I cannot speak for everyone in this situation, but some of you may be able to relate to this subject matter. Child abuse is a crime and should be reported immediately in the case of a known fact that a child and or children are being