It depends upon what you mean by disipline. If you think it is child abuse, then calling the police will trigger the appropriate intervention. There is no one set definition for child abuse. That is, in most states corporal punishement is allowed such as spanking with an open-hand on the bottom.

Personally I find that yelling and threatening physical violence in unnacceptable. However, I have heard and seen parents do this all of the time with no intentions of actually hurting the child. They parent by fear. That is their choice.

I have on occassion have asked parent and/or child in public if everything was o.k. The responses varied. Sometimes the parent became angry at me, and other times because they were so stressed they didn't realize how they were behaving.

If you have ever helped someone who was physical ill or was stranded on the side of the road.....then you already have your answer. Just because you cannot SEE what is wrong... trust your gut..