There's a difference between discipline and abuse. I don't agree beating the kids is going to help them in the long run, and neither does shoving food into their mouths or giving them things to shut them up.

A friend of mine has a three year-old and I ran into her in Target one day and I couldn't believe how the kid was acting---screaming, crying, throwing things, etc. I feel for the people who have to deal with kids in public places who act up like that, yet at the same time it's probably hard on the parents to deal with. I guess even though I don't have kids of my own yet I can see both sides to this issue. I mean, like a few weeks ago when I went to the movies there was a fairly young mother in the movies with a baby and this was at a 9-10 pm-ish showing of the film and every once in a while the child started making noise. I was wondering if it would be an ongoing thing the whole time, in which case I would have dealt with it and eventually told the staff if it kept up. This has happened before, yet I also don't know what the person's story is...I mean, it could be someone who just doesn't care or respect other people, or it could be a single mom or dad who doesn't really have time to themselves or anyone to watch the kid(s) and just would like to be able to have some enjoyment to see a movie.

Older kids, though...I hear what Dark is saying about the kids cursing at their parents and hitting them and stuff, because I believe I've seen things like that happen. I think it is the parents' fault for allowing it.