VTMBH Article: Body
Numerous Chinese American parents have been reported for child abuse because of their use of corporal punishment on their children. Most recently, there have been three cases reported by childrens school teachers in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Not only must the accused parents report to Family Court for possible criminal charges, but government agencies have taken their children and placed them in foster homes. In some cases, parents may face deportation.
Corporal punishment is a traditional form of discipline in Chinese culture; there is a saying, one will not learn without a spanking. Because these normal practices are considered to be abusive behavior under the U.S. Child Protection Laws, disheartening family breakups may occur.
The Xia family, from Queens, has three children ranging in age from six to eight years old. The father is frequently in China for business; the mother is a professional translator. A few days ago, her eight-year-old son refused to do his homework. Therefore, his mother used a duster to spank his arm, causing red marks on his body. The next day, her son did not return home from school, so she went to school to find him, only to learn that her child has been taken away by the Administration for Childrens Services (ACS) to a foster home.
The school told Mrs. Xia that ACS will investigate whether she was abusive. As soon as the mother returned home, officials removed her six- and seven-year-old children from her home as well. Even though the mother speaks fluent English, she was unable to stop the removal of her two children from her home. The two children cried hysterically as they were being taken away, but they were forced in the police car, and handed over to social workers at ACS, who transferred them to foster homes. Police officials questioned Mrs. Xia and detained her for a few days until her lawyer bailed her out.
Mrs. Xia, who has been living in the States for years, was unable to see her three children for a few weeks; in addition, she had to report to family court. She feels that the government agencies were inhumane and unfair. They did not investigate fully before they removed her children. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Xia immediately returned to the States, to fight the battle with his wife.
In another case in Bensonhurst, Mrs. Lee asked her daughter to do grocery shopping for her. The sixth-grader was hanging out with her friends and did not return home until two hours later. Mrs. Lee was very upset and spanked her daughter with a broom, causing scars on her legs. At her classmates encouragement, she reported this incident to her teacher. ACS and police officers immediately arrested Mrs. Lee. ACS insisted that the mother be banned from seeing her children. This case continued at least six months, and the parents are still unable to see their children. The attorney fees are a big financial burden for the family.
Mr. Wong, who resides in Manhattan, slapped his son when he misbehaved at home, and left five finger marks on his face. The next day, when the son went to school, his teacher reported the situation to ACS. ACS immediately removed the child from the father and placed him in a foster home, pending further investigation. His daughter was not forcefully removed because she was in Brooklyn at her grandfathers when the police officers came to remove the son. ACS detained Mr. Wong, until his lawyer bailed him out.
Mr. Wong is in the process of applying for his permanent residency. He may face criminal charges and Family Court charges. If found guilty, he would be arrested, separated from his children, and face the possibility of deportation.
Under U.S. law, a teacher, social worker, or doctor who suspects child abuse must report it to the appropriate agencies. If not, he or she will face misdemeanor charges. Because of this child protection law, many kind-hearted teachers, social workers, ACS staff members and prosecutors end up accusing Chinese American families of child abuse, despite the fact that certain corporal punishment is seen as normal within the Chinese tradition. This causes heartbreak and serious stress for the parents and children.
Corporal punishment is a traditional form of discipline in Chinese culture; there is a saying, one will not learn without a spanking. Because these normal practices are considered to be abusive behavior under the U.S. Child Protection Laws, disheartening family breakups may occur.
The Xia family, from Queens, has three children ranging in age from six to eight years old. The father is frequently in China for business; the mother is a professional translator. A few days ago, her eight-year-old son refused to do his homework. Therefore, his mother used a duster to spank his arm, causing red marks on his body. The next day, her son did not return home from school, so she went to school to find him, only to learn that her child has been taken away by the Administration for Childrens Services (ACS) to a foster home.
The school told Mrs. Xia that ACS will investigate whether she was abusive. As soon as the mother returned home, officials removed her six- and seven-year-old children from her home as well. Even though the mother speaks fluent English, she was unable to stop the removal of her two children from her home. The two children cried hysterically as they were being taken away, but they were forced in the police car, and handed over to social workers at ACS, who transferred them to foster homes. Police officials questioned Mrs. Xia and detained her for a few days until her lawyer bailed her out.
Mrs. Xia, who has been living in the States for years, was unable to see her three children for a few weeks; in addition, she had to report to family court. She feels that the government agencies were inhumane and unfair. They did not investigate fully before they removed her children. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Xia immediately returned to the States, to fight the battle with his wife.
In another case in Bensonhurst, Mrs. Lee asked her daughter to do grocery shopping for her. The sixth-grader was hanging out with her friends and did not return home until two hours later. Mrs. Lee was very upset and spanked her daughter with a broom, causing scars on her legs. At her classmates encouragement, she reported this incident to her teacher. ACS and police officers immediately arrested Mrs. Lee. ACS insisted that the mother be banned from seeing her children. This case continued at least six months, and the parents are still unable to see their children. The attorney fees are a big financial burden for the family.
Mr. Wong, who resides in Manhattan, slapped his son when he misbehaved at home, and left five finger marks on his face. The next day, when the son went to school, his teacher reported the situation to ACS. ACS immediately removed the child from the father and placed him in a foster home, pending further investigation. His daughter was not forcefully removed because she was in Brooklyn at her grandfathers when the police officers came to remove the son. ACS detained Mr. Wong, until his lawyer bailed him out.
Mr. Wong is in the process of applying for his permanent residency. He may face criminal charges and Family Court charges. If found guilty, he would be arrested, separated from his children, and face the possibility of deportation.
Under U.S. law, a teacher, social worker, or doctor who suspects child abuse must report it to the appropriate agencies. If not, he or she will face misdemeanor charges. Because of this child protection law, many kind-hearted teachers, social workers, ACS staff members and prosecutors end up accusing Chinese American families of child abuse, despite the fact that certain corporal punishment is seen as normal within the Chinese tradition. This causes heartbreak and serious stress for the parents and children.