INTRODUCTIONIt is said that when a man and a woman become one, it appeases God. In this union, he blesses the couple with children to nourish them, protect them and teach them his word. Families are extremely important, both in a physical and theological sense. In the book of Genesis, the Lord says that His people must be fruitful and multiply while ruling over the lands and seas. His plan was for people to marry and give birth, which is an essential part of the human race. All parents are deficient from time to time and no parent can be emotionally available to their children at all times. It's completely normal for parents to yell at their children from time to time. Some parents may exercise control while others use physical discipline, but only if the child receives a lot of love and understands why the discipline occurred (Forward, 1989). The question that arises is: do all of these options portray the parent as “cruel or unfit” to raise a child? Of course not. The saying “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is true. Without discipline and order in the house, the child feels that there are no boundaries and can react as he wishes without fear of consequences. But there is a clear line between “discipline” and “abuse” which will be explained in the next chapter. TOXIC PARENTS There are many parents whose negative behavior patterns are consistent and dominant in a child's life. It's the parents who do the bad things. The term "toxic parenting" is similar to a chemical toxin: the emotional, physical, or sexual damage inflicted ripples throughout the child's being, and as the child grows, so does this pain. Being a victim of physical and emotional abuse is not the...... middle of document...... 14, issue 3, p. 232-242.11p. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.eduScannapreco, M., Connell-Carrick, K., et.al (2007). Substance use and abuse. Vol.42, issue 10, pages 1545-1553. Retrieved February 14, 2011 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.eduSteinburg, L., Blatt-Eisengart, I., Cauffman, E. et.al (2006). Patterns of competence and adjustment among adolescents from authoritarian, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful homes: A republication in the serious juvenile delinquent sample. Journal of Adolescence Research. (Blackwell Publishing Limited). Flight. 16, number 1, p. 47, 58, 12p. Terrance, C., Plumm, K., Little, B., et.al (2008). Maternal Blame: Battered Women and Abused Children. Flight. 14. Issue 8, p. 870-885. Retrieved February 15, 2011 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu