Parents Deserve a Fighting Chance In America, it is becoming increasingly common for parents to get stuck in a vicious cycle that leads to the government intervening in family affairs. Laws controlling the care and treatment of children prohibit parents' ability to discipline their children without government interference. These laws are extremely necessary in some cases, such as in the case of abandonment, sexual, psychological and physical abuse. While this is necessary, there are some cases where these laws are more harmful than helpful to the family. While abuse is the result of negative parenting styles, other parenting styles that accommodate harsh laws often result in cases of child abandonment and/or juvenile delinquency. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “child abuse” is defined as “mistreatment of a child.” child by a parent or guardian, including neglect, battery, and sexual harassment” (Webster). “Physical abuse involves physical harm or injury to the child. It may be the result of a deliberate attempt to hurt the child, but not always. It may also result from severe discipline, such as the use of a belt on a child, or from physical punishment that is inappropriate for the child's age or physical condition” (Child Welfare Information Gateway). However, parents try to justify their actions through the Bible by saying “spare the rod spoil the child.” “But there is a big difference between using physical punishment for discipline and physical abuse. The purpose of disciplining children is to teach them right and wrong, not to make them live in fear” (Child Welfare Information Gateway). The reason these laws are harsh is because of child abuse and neglect. There are many myths surrounding child abuse and neglect. Many people feel... at the center of the paper... 2011 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Merriam-WebsterInc., PO Box 281, Springfield, MA 01102: Made in the United States of America. All rights reserved., 2011. Web.Babatsikos, Georgia. “Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: A Review of the Literature.” Child Abuse Review. 19.2 (2010): 107-129. Print.Saison, Joanna, Melinda Smith, and Jeanne Segal” Child Abuse and Neglect” HelpGuide.orgHelpguide.org, November 2010. Web. April 15 http://Helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm#authorsCrowley-Susan, Melanie Domenech Rodriguez, Melissa, Donovick. "Parenting Styles in a Cultural Context." Observations on ''Protective Parenting'' in. 48.2 (2009): 196-197. Press. http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=09de2f29-b9f2-4e97-ab1a-cf326049d2f3%40sessionmgr114&vid=10&hid=101