In previous decades, many kids were sent to bed without dinner as a common punishment or sent to their room to “think about what you've done” after misbehaving. Even if you didn't personally experience this punishment, you probably saw it on TV shows and in movies. However, recent changes in culturally accepted parenting styles have led some parents to wonder if this kind of isolation or seclusion might qualify as child abuse.

Is it Child Abuse to Send Your Kid to Their Room?

To begin, let's look at how Pennsylvania laws define child abuse. According to the Child Protective Services Law, the definition of child abuse includes “causing bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act,” “creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act,” and “causing or substantially contributing to serious mental injury to a child through any act or failure to act or a series of such acts or failures to act.” This may seem broad, but the Act also includes a provision stating that the law “does not restrict the generally recognized existing rights of parents to use reasonable supervision and control when raising their children.” In other words, the Commonwealth is trying to strike a balance between protecting children from physical and mental injury and respecting the fact that every parent has a slightly different way of raising their children.

Every child—and every situation—is different, and it's important to take into account the particulars of the situation and your own child when you're considering what kind of discipline is appropriate. The focus of discipline should be imposing consequences to change your child's behavior, not simply making them miserable. In that spirit, missing a single meal or spending a few hours alone will not usually have significant consequences for a child—and won't usually qualify as abuse. However, for children who have special needs, medical conditions, or other specific factors that may make such punishments more harmful, seclusion may not be appropriate. In addition, leaving a young child alone for a long period of time may qualify as abuse or neglect if the child is too young to safely be on their own without adult supervision.

It's also important to consider whether a method of discipline is producing the results you want in your child. If your child is experiencing severe, lasting distress as a result of a consequence like going to bed without dinner or spending time alone, it may not be an appropriate punishment for them. But for most children, this type of punishment will not cause lasting harm.

When Seclusion Crosses the Line

In some situations, seclusion can clearly become abuse. For example, if a child is isolated for long periods of time or denied access to food, water, or the bathroom for a significant period of time, that crosses the line into abuse. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognizes that parents can approach discipline in a variety of different ways, but it prioritizes the welfare and safety of children and will take action to remove children from harmful or dangerous situations, such as if children are left by themselves for long periods of time in a way that damages their mental or physical health.

Where to Turn for More Help

If you're facing allegations of child abuse because of your parenting style, LLF Law Firm and the Family Law Team can help. Our Family Law Team has many years of experience helping clients navigate the Pennsylvania family court system, and our team can help you protect your parental rights and defend yourself from allegations of child abuse. Schedule a consultation online today or call 888.535.3686 .