I think there’s a better understanding of abuse now. All of these behaviors are abusive. Accepting that and learning to change the way we communicate and manage conflict is how we grow.

There’s an entire generation that won’t call spanking abuse. But it is and was and will always be. Avoiding the word doesn’t change the facts, and impact matters more than intentions. Owning up to our own abusive tendencies creates opportunities for change and learning better ways to manage our emotions. Defensiveness is natural, but we need to focus on accountability if we want to have better relationships.