Re: screening questions for abuse vs. harsh discipline

["Jerry Jensen" <jensenje@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

If a person answered yes to any of the three questions they are
using corporal punishment.

>1) Have you spanked your child more than once in the previous
month?
>2) Have you ever felt like you have lost control while spanking
your child?
>3) Have you ever left a mark from spanking your child?

Although I am aware that there is disagreement about the meaning
of  abuse among people on this list, answering yes to either
question two or three constitutes abuse, I think even by
strictest definitions.  In my opinion, based upon my definition
of nurturing and abuse (i.e. misuse of parental power intended to
nurture a child), answering yes to number one is also abuse.

Distinguishing between "harsh discipline" and abuse seems as
convoluted as trying to distinguish between malnourishment and
starvation--neither is an appropriate way to nurture another.

Jerry Jensen
Executive Director
CedarBrook Center www.cedarbrook.gen.mn.us (under construction)
email: jensenje@cedarbrook.gen.mn.us