@Bri_L I don’t understand your approach at all. I don’t like what the man has done. I hate the fact that he slapped a defenceless two year old, and yet you’re treating me in such a hostile manner.
And I’m talking about an adult slapping another adult. Not an adult slapping a child. Why would I approach your children? They’re children. You’re misrepresenting my argument.
@avvooooooo We both know that we’re talking about children here. And we both know that what the man did is wrong. If all we disagree on is the term “abuse”, then perhaps I should clarify my case.
@avvooooooo & @Bri_L I shall therefore put forth my own definition of the term ‘abuse’. I view abuse as someone aiming to maliciously cause unnecessary hurt or pain to another person or living creature. This is why I hesitate to label what this man did as ‘abuse’. I believe very strongly in intent. If the man had done that to the child because he wanted to maliciously cause her unnecessary pain, then so be it. He’s abused the child. But if he had done it because he thought that it was a necessary punishment, heck if he thought that slapping children was the way to go in proper discipline, then we’d have to teach him that you don’t go parenting other people’s children. But I would not call it abuse.
Furthermore, there’s the added grey zone that slapping is used by some parents as a form of disciplining their children. But do we call them child abusers even when they slap their children, even when they love them? Do we call them child abusers when they belt their children, yet are the same parents who will cry at graduation and hug and kiss them? I am extending that to this case here.
There are no further details on this particular case. I am not going to pass judgment on this man, except based on what I know.
And I know that he slapped a defenceless two year old. I know that he went out of line. But I do not know exactly what was going through his head. Murder is murder when it’s premeditated. If it’s not it’s homicide. What were this man’s intentions? The case needs to unfold more.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: I did not come onto Fluther to make enemies. If animosity and high emotions are all this conversation is going to result in, then I don’t see any point in continuing it.