[In-Depth Look] Do You Know the Difference Between Discipline and Child Abuse?

Professor Kim Do-woo, Department of Police Science, College of Law, Gyeongnam National University

The death of 16-month-old Jeong-in sparked public outrage. In particular, the fact that reports of child abuse were made three times and that related agencies failed to respond appropriately despite severe external injuries led to nationwide anger, raising questions about the government's child abuse prevention measures.

However, this public interest is not a recent phenomenon. Over the past several years, high-profile child abuse cases (such as the Chilgok and Ulsan child abuse death cases) have occurred consecutively, leading to the enactment and strengthening of the "Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes" (enacted in 2014). The recent "Jeong-in death case" also became an opportunity to further strengthen child abuse-related laws. Nevertheless, criticism continues because child abuse has been increasing despite the enactment and revision of related laws over the past decade.

Since abusers invariably use "discipline" as an excuse, legal amendments are a natural step. However, child abuse cannot be resolved by legal amendments alone. To eradicate child abuse, it is necessary to establish the value that corporal punishment itself can constitute abuse and to clearly distinguish whether one's actions are abuse or discipline. As long as there is a value system that tolerates physical punishment as a form of discipline in the parenting process, child abuse will continue to recur and increase. This value system is not limited to abusers alone. It means that even public officials responsible for child abuse may apply different standards for judging child abuse depending on their personal values.

Furthermore, alongside legal amendments, it is urgent to identify the root causes of child abuse and establish alternatives. Most child abuse occurs within the home by parents. Abusers are more often mothers than fathers, and the rates of severe outcomes such as death and serious injury caused by abuse are also higher on the mother's side. This reflects the negative emotions abusers have toward their children, playing a decisive role in fostering negative parenting attitudes. Despite the fact that many abusers are female, prevention programs for them remain insufficient.

Additionally, the "my child, my way" mentality is problematic. Some parents raise children according to their own needs and goals, regardless of the children's needs or preferences, which can lead to child abuse. Especially, the more firmly parents recognize their role in child development, the higher the likelihood that emotional abuse will escalate into coercive abuse.

Moreover, with the emergence of generations such as YOLO and DINK, who are reluctant to embrace parenthood or parental roles, when children exhibit uncontrollable behavior or fail to adapt to their parenting style, parents tend to blame the child rather than their own ignorance or intolerance, leading to child abuse.

Ultimately, it is necessary to improve incorrect parenting methods that fail to distinguish between discipline and abuse and to provide parents with education on emotional regulation. More precisely, parent education on proper disciplinary methods is needed to prepare individuals for parenthood.

The home is the most dangerous place when the door is closed. Judicial intervention to prevent and respond to child abuse crimes is impossible without voluntary efforts from our society to improve the atmosphere. From now on, it is essential to have a clear awareness that child abuse is a crime and to recognize that any inappropriate discipline, such as corporal punishment, is no different from child abuse.