Would you say that this is child abuse? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Hollow · 07-28-2006, 09:57 PM

throwing water at a child, soaking them in a fit of rage?

whether it counts as physical abuse i'm not sure. i had someone tell me that it is because water is a tangible substance. i sort of agree with that, despite the fact that water doesn't cause any physical injuries, unless it's scalding hot or something. of course it's abusive to be raging at a child like that in the first place, and using a physical substance against them like that...well yeah it's abuse and it's physical. i'm confused as far as whether it would count as 'real' physical abuse that the parent could be charged for.

Brad Russ · 07-28-2006, 10:04 PM

By law, and I may be wrong here, but I think throwing anything at a person is considered assault. Whether that also makes it abuse or not, I'm not so sure, but I'm pretty sure it's against the law. I watched an episode of cops awhile back, and someone was arrested for assault after throwing a piece of cake at someone, so I'm pretty sure that throwing water at someone would also fall into that same category. If the water is thrown at the kid in a fit of rage, and not playfully, then I personally think it's abusive. That's just my opinion though.

Michael [hXc] · 07-28-2006, 10:04 PM

i'm not sure if it could be considered child abuse, but it's definitely wrong for a parent to throw anything at their child. but if a parent dunked their child's head under water due to anger, that would be abuse.

Mr. Television · 07-28-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Mel

By law, and I may be wrong here, but I think throwing anything at a person is considered assault. Whether that also makes it abuse or not, I'm not so sure, but I'm pretty sure it's against the law. I watched an episode of cops awhile back, and someone was arrested for assault after throwing a piece of cake at someone, so I'm pretty sure that throwing water at someone would also fall into that same category. If the water is thrown at the kid in a fit of rage, and not playfully, then I personally think it's abusive. That's just my opinion though.

a cake? I guess that episode of Three's company where they were throwing cake at each other is abuse..

It probably depends on the way it's thrown. If it's scolding hot water then its absolutely abuse.

Ireneparalegal · 07-28-2006, 10:11 PM

You asked two questions. One, is it child abuse? YES.
Two, can a parent be charged with child abuse? Depends, each state has it's own laws regarding what is child abuse and so forth.

Lamont · 07-28-2006, 10:14 PM

child abuse? id say no
its just water
no harm
no pain

BUT its realllllly stupid and childish thing to do

dawsongirl · 07-28-2006, 10:46 PM

Of course it's abuse. You never throw anything at a child in a fit of rage. The cops would definetly investigate it, but sadly I have my doubts about arrest. Water wouldn't leave any bruises or scars, so it seems like it would end up being their word against yours.

Courtnee · 07-28-2006, 10:59 PM

Yes, I would say it's abuse. That's sick and horrible and he should be reported.

Sharop · 07-29-2006, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Walk The Line

a cake? I guess that episode of Three's company where they were throwing cake at each other is abuse..

This reminded me of the Thanksgiving Orphans episode of Cheers, where they all went to Carla's house for Thanksgiving and had a food fight. And then Diane threw the pie at Sam, in revenge for earlier, but he ducked, and it hit Vera in the face (who had just arrived.) It was a good way to make sure nobody saw what Vera looked like!

Vera was not pleased!

Vera: (cold voice) "Charming friends, Norm. Get your coat!"

As for throwing water at someone...if it's not burning hot, and it's thrown in a playful manner, then I don't think it's abuse. But if it was boiling water, then it would be. I'm not sure. I've heard of people throwing water over people to calm them down (i.e. if they're really worked up and about to get into a fight) and I've heard of people hosing down people who are fighting.

swedeace · 07-29-2006, 10:20 AM

It sounds like abuse to me. I have done that to my sister when I was upset with her and had a nearby cup of water.

Janice · 07-29-2006, 02:00 PM

I don't know if it fits the legal definition of child abuse, but I think it's abusive behavior. Terrible, really.

Jonathan · 07-29-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Princess

Yes, I would say it's abuse. That's sick and horrible and he should be reported.

I think it should be reported.

Mr. Stefani · 07-29-2006, 02:28 PM

Child abuse, no. Bad parenting, yes.

Bobby F. · 07-29-2006, 04:18 PM

If the child is acting up, what's the difference in doing that as compared to spanking the child?? I've had a friend say that when his daughter was throwing a complete fit, he went and got a cold glass of water and threw it on her. It got her attention and she calmed down. He could have gone on and spanked her instead but went this way instead. Some people complain that you shouldn't even spank your child. That's a load of crap. As long as you are not going over board and causing bigtime harm, a swat on the butt is just fine.

D.J. · 07-29-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby F.

As long as you are not going over board and causing bigtime harm, a swat on the butt is just fine.

My mom did that once when I was young and did she pay for it. I think I was 4 or 5 at the time. When she went to go get the mail, I locked her out. She was outside in 90 degrees and I wouldn't let her in. When she told my dad, she expected him to scold me but since he doesn't believe in hitting, he just laughed right in her face because he knew she deserved it. I never got hit again.

07-28-2006, 09:57 PM	#1
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	Would you say that this is child abuse? throwing water at a child, soaking them in a fit of rage? whether it counts as physical abuse i'm not sure. i had someone tell me that it is because water is a tangible substance. i sort of agree with that, despite the fact that water doesn't cause any physical injuries, unless it's scalding hot or something. of course it's abusive to be raging at a child like that in the first place, and using a physical substance against them like that...well yeah it's abuse and it's physical. i'm confused as far as whether it would count as 'real' physical abuse that the parent could be charged for.

07-28-2006, 10:04 PM	#2
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	By law, and I may be wrong here, but I think throwing anything at a person is considered assault. Whether that also makes it abuse or not, I'm not so sure, but I'm pretty sure it's against the law. I watched an episode of cops awhile back, and someone was arrested for assault after throwing a piece of cake at someone, so I'm pretty sure that throwing water at someone would also fall into that same category. If the water is thrown at the kid in a fit of rage, and not playfully, then I personally think it's abusive. That's just my opinion though.
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

07-28-2006, 10:11 PM	#5
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	You asked two questions. One, is it child abuse? YES. Two, can a parent be charged with child abuse? Depends, each state has it's own laws regarding what is child abuse and so forth.
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07-28-2006, 10:14 PM	#6
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	... child abuse? id say no its just water no harm no pain BUT its realllllly stupid and childish thing to do
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07-28-2006, 10:59 PM	#8
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	Yes, I would say it's abuse. That's sick and horrible and he should be reported.
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07-28-2006, 10:04 PM	#3
Michael [hXc] dying. Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 29, 2004 Posts: 8,532	i'm not sure if it could be considered child abuse, but it's definitely wrong for a parent to throw anything at their child. but if a parent dunked their child's head under water due to anger, that would be abuse.

07-28-2006, 10:46 PM	#7
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Of course it's abuse. You never throw anything at a child in a fit of rage. The cops would definetly investigate it, but sadly I have my doubts about arrest. Water wouldn't leave any bruises or scars, so it seems like it would end up being their word against yours.

07-29-2006, 10:20 AM	#10
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	It sounds like abuse to me. I have done that to my sister when I was upset with her and had a nearby cup of water.

07-29-2006, 02:00 PM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I don't know if it fits the legal definition of child abuse, but I think it's abusive behavior. Terrible, really.

07-29-2006, 02:28 PM	#13
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	Child abuse, no. Bad parenting, yes.

07-29-2006, 04:18 PM	#14
Bobby F. Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 3,818	If the child is acting up, what's the difference in doing that as compared to spanking the child?? I've had a friend say that when his daughter was throwing a complete fit, he went and got a cold glass of water and threw it on her. It got her attention and she calmed down. He could have gone on and spanked her instead but went this way instead. Some people complain that you shouldn't even spank your child. That's a load of crap. As long as you are not going over board and causing bigtime harm, a swat on the butt is just fine.