Let’s be clear, no one advocates child abuse or severely hurting a child, but how is one to act in this situation? No matter what you do, there are serious repercussions to your actions as a parent.

This father discovered his underage daughter had been text messaging some boy explicitly exposed photos of her body. Livid at the discovery, the father reacted by grabbing what appears to be a belt, but could be an extension cord, and goes IN on his daughter’s body for at least 1 min and 25 seconds.

After reading Ta-Nehisi Coates excellent book, “Between the World and Me”, i’m reminded of the fear black parents have over the lack of control, ability to protect their children’s body. Thus, when our children act out in certain ways, we tend to hit the extremes because of our added fear.
Well, this situation doesn’t involve the police or our violence ridden neighborhoods, but a lack of judgement and understanding of the repercussions involved in sharing explicit pictures of one’s body inside these neighborhoods. Nevertheless, the same fear is invoked and the father reacted in this matter.

Personally, I have two boys and cannot understand what it must feel like to raise a young woman in the 21st century. I’d imagine it has always been difficult, but there is no doubt modern day parents have a new set of worries and difficulties to navigate their young people through.

I’m not trying slam or justify the dad’s reaction to finding his daughter in this situation, but I am asking; what do you think?

Is this a proper reaction to foolishness or child abuse?