First off I want to say that I do not believe in child abuse, but a smack on the butt with a yard stick,or the threat of it, in my opinion is not child abuse. What I think is child abuse is letting a child believe they don't have to listen to anyone. What is a teacher to do today if a child disobeys, if they send them home maybe that is what they wanted. Why do you think that there is so many problems in our schools today? Why do you think there is so many kids killing kids in Pittsburgh, is it because their parents done that when they were young? Some children need very little discipline,but if talking doesn't work then the yard stick on the butt and maybe they will understand. Even the Bible states that a child should be disciplined.