'Disturbing' Viral Video Sparks Debate About Extreme Parenting
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A viral video shocker is stirring a debate about extreme parenting from New York to China.
The controversial footage shows a nearly naked and freezing 4-year-old who is forced to do push-ups in the snow.
The video was made by the little boy's father during a recent family vacation to New York City. He calls it tough love, but some are saying it's child abuse and crosses the limit.
People who spoke with CBS 2's Dave Carlin are calling the scenario disgusting and "disturbing."
"It's offensive -- basically. A kid walking around in his underwear and he looks like he's miserable and just cold. It doesn't look like he's learning anything," said Craig Cox, of Guilford, Conn.
"When he gets older, he's going to think it's right to do that to his kids," said Kaleigh Zardus.
The boy's mother is also heard cheering him on as the child is told to do a push-up. His father told the China Daily newspaper that the tough love was so his son would develop a masculine temperament.
"When the old eagle teaches its young, it takes the young eagles to the cliff side, beats them and pushes them to teach them to use their wings, and I believe I am helping my son in this way - to force him to challenge limitations and exceed his own expectations," the boy's father said.
The lesson goes too far, according to child psychologist Robin Goodman.
"Sometimes what we need to do is find the middle ground of helping children feel valued, at the same time, teaching them a sense of responsibility and respect and appropriateness," Goodman said.
Goodman says teaching a child anything must be done with dignity and respect and not like what was seen in the video.
The boy and his family is back home in China. The video is also sparking a heated debate over the treatment of children there.
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