child abuse?

[blueboy]

What is the name of your state? ca
Can someone tell me if this is child abuse?

Getting spanked with a plastic or wooden mixing spoon on the bottom and lower back 3 - 4 times for things as simple as not wanting to take a nap or making a mess and not wanting to clean it up?The children wouldn't tell me what else they were getting hit with, but the oldest said if we're being bad then mom will hit us with what ever is close by. The children will if asked point blank tell an authority, but they are scared of loosing their parents. Ages 4 and 7

 

[stealth2]

It might be considered as such, I suppose. My bro & I were spanked with a wooden spoon - and I've never considered us abused. I'd say if you're concerned, your best bet would be to report it to CPS.

 

[VANGUARD]

"spoon abuse"

i went thru this (michigan), "abuse" is when disipline crosses the line of inflicting serious marks, which can trickle down to "emotional abuse/trauma" vs standard disipline if the disipline is of a serious nature where the children are traumatized by the severity. unfortunatly, it is allowed, hopefully it doesn't escalate to a more severe form. hope this info helps. emphaticaly, Robert

 

[Gilly Bean]

Most often, a social worker will tell you that abuse vs disipline in the physical sense is the difference in the marks made.

Bruises, welts, open skin, and bruised bone are almost always investigated, though they are not always found to be abuse in the end.

Red marks that fade quickly are often not investigated.

I was also told not to long ago by a social worker here in Michigan that using an object, and stricking against the back is always investigated.


If you are having any doubts, and in your mind, you feel it needs to be looked into, call. It's better to be safe, than sorry.

 

[discreet7]

Let it be said that I am no fan of CPS however, I am not in favor of "beating" kids either. There's a line between discipline, and abuse and CPS isn't always the best judge. What needs to be looked at is the whole child not just incidents. How are the children doing in school...boy, that can tell alot. Are they doing ok in church if they do attend, do they have social outlets, and do they do well in social situations? CPS can and do more harm then they can fix. If the kids are being paddled in a disciplinary fashion, and I don't mean "beat" (where bones are broken, welts for days, and the like) then the parents have that right, and well should have. Are you a p/o non custodial parent, concerned relative, or just a nosy neighbor?