i have a question. what is the definition of the word 'abuse' in the context of this thread?

i was just wondering. because, honestly i dont think i am a victim of abuse. my parents love me terribly and are extremely supportive of me and all that...

but, my dad used to believe in corporal punishment when i was younger. ie. the cane.

i believe this is a very common occurence in asian families especially in the region where i live, i.e parents using physical punishment to teach the kids right from wrong.

so yeah, getting caned when i was younger for bad things that i've done. is this or is this not classified as abuse? to me, no i dont think it is abuse, because its just the way things were. but to others, and to some organisations, i believe, this is considered a form of child abuse.

so yeah, just a thought this thread sparked in my head