Query and Reservation on Child Abuse Law (R.A. 7610)

Image: Augusto Starita in (WC) Does this law make the children spoiled? I have a hesitation and reservation on the child abuse law under the Republic Act 7610 of the Philippines. It is in fact valid to protect a child from any form of abuse or cruelty. But sometimes a situation would require physical disciplinary actions that may fall under "child abuse law" in order to save the child, like choosing less evil from two evil situations. For example like killing is a criminal offense but if to kill for the sake of self defense it is choosing the lesser evil.

However, mild discipline could be effective at simple misbehavior. But what if a seven years old child secretly swims with his friends at the beach or at a big river. The parent, with his instinct would prevent the child to not swim again without his supervision. Reminding a child or doing an explanation may not an effective way to stop the child from going to swimming with his playmates. The parent may punish the child only lightly that may not violate the "child abuse law." But what if he still does it again. If I were the child's parent I would spank or whip him at the legs for the second offense . Children may not follow orders unless punished physically but not to the point of too much, like kneeling or whipping the legs only.

We are disciplined like this manner by our parents but we are not violent people nor "basagulero" as the result of such physical discipline as claimed by some experts. We become good sons and daughter because aside from this physical discipline, we are filled with love and concern also by our parents. Children sometimes lack comprehension that needs immediate and effective deterrent discipline in a risky and dangerous situation.