Flicking an unknown child for throwing rocks at terrapins

[Rafterplease]

I'm sitting in a pub and we are discussing an AIBU of one of the group.

Here's the scenario:

L is in Greece. There's a park with a pool and terrapins in it. A kid - roughly seven - is throwing rocks at the terrapins. The kid is blond but probably Greek. L is standing next to the kid and, fairly gently, instinctively flicks the kid with the back of her hand and says (in English) 'don't do that'. There was no parent in sight. The kid ran away.

L just didnt think, acted totally on instinct. She feels very guilty about doing this. Should she be beating herself up over it?

Mim. Did you see the terrapins. They're adorable aren't they. How could anyone hurt something like that. #I want one now to snuggle.

He ran away and for all you know could have been terrified of the crazy lady that assaulted him!!

And tonight I've learned that some think hurting an animal is frowned upon however physical reprimanding random children's ok!! only on mn. NEITHER is ok.

Yes, I''ve just googled them too, and they're lovely.

callsaul perhaps the child could have learnt the lesson that his behaviour was unacceptable by being told firmly to stop it.

Instead perhaps the lesson he learned was that a physical response is fine for smaller, weaker creatures. Which ironically is what we wanted him to stop...

Isn't a verbal warning the first course of action for a naughty child anymore?

The lady was not "crazy".

The child was not "random" - he was the one child throwing rocks at defenceless animals.

So she flicked the budding sociopath? Meh.

Good for your mum, Sinister!

Not wonderful, but not the end of the world.

This thread will run to 1000 posts

Reprimanding violence of a smaller and defenceless animal with violence against a defenceless small child makes her 'crazy' yes.

Oh I see SN has already been mentioned

I think it's a bit strange that flicking was her instinctive reaction. I can't imagine that being a good instinctive reaction to anything. A restraining hand if he was about to throw a rock, a harsh voice, yes, fine. Flicking is odd.

Condoning violence

I'm waiting for concussion to be mentioned.

Assault? Some people need to get a grip.
Maybe a good flick now and then is what some kids need. It is not ok ever to hurt an animal.

The child is around seven, most seven years lack empathy a lot of the time, the boy's behaviour was horrible but it doesn't mean they're a budding sociopath, empathy develops by being shown empathy not by having it slapped into you, that just perpetuates aggression. SBM I think it was fair enough for your Mum to call the RSPCA but I doubt they kicked that kid's arse, I expect they went and gave him a stern warning and that's the point here, the 'flick' is crossing a line.

If it was my child doing that I'd be grateful to the adult flicking his hand and telling him off. Not that my child would do that in a million years.

If I saw a child doing that I'd have probably done the same.

PersonOfinterest - we are handicapped in this discussion by not knowing exactly what a "flick" is, and the OP has not come back to enlighten us. I am assuming that it was a light (but feelable) touch on this child's rock-throwing hand, designed to halt the child's actions immediately. It was not, I assuming, a slap but a touch designed to interrupt what the child was doing. Normally, when children are misbehaving, of course you would go with a verbal admonition first but in serious cases of misbehaviour, as cruelty to animals is, I think it is perfectly acceptable to go straight to the physical prevention/restraint stage.

There are some utterly revolting pictures on the internet of young teenagers and kids torturing animals. I wish I'd never come across them as you can't unsee them iykwim.

If I ever came across that in real life I'd punch the fuckers in the face, never mind a "flick".

You don't deliberately hurt animals. Most children can grasp that by the time they're toddlers.

Terriorterror - I imagine the only concussion suffered was by the terrapins.

If you flicked my kids I'd thump you!she should have just told the boy to stop

Ah, but the poor flickee might be traumatised...

She met violence with violence, not a good lesson

Yes sadly I fear we'll never quite know what a 'flick' is!

SBM - what you described the teenager doing is disgusting. But you do know the RSPCA don't 'kick arse' don't you?