True verbal abuse should be distinguished from ordinary parental discipline. Parental discipline is about correcting your inappropriate behavior; abuse is about demeaning you as a person. If your parent tells you that you can't go out with your friends until you clean your room, that's discipline. If he calls you a "lazy pig," tells you you'll never amount to anything or threatens to break your arm if you disobey, it should be considered abuse.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services advises that "use of corporal punishment is not considered abuse when it is reasonable and moderate and is inflicted by a parent or guardian for the purposes of restraining or correcting the child." However, the department adds that parental emotional abuse should be considered if the parent "constantly blames, belittes, or berates the child; is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems; or overtly rejects the child." (ref 6)

Silence is considered emotional abuse if your parent consistently ignores you, if she rarely speaks to you or pays you no attention. It is considered neglect if your parent fails to give you medicine or take you to the doctor when you're sick, if she makes no attempt to send you to school, or if she withholds food, clothing or shelter, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Words can be weapons. Words such as "stupid" "fat" "ugly" or "worthless" cut like knives, and responsible parents don't use them against their children. If the intent of your parent's words is not to correct your behavior, but to make you feel small, weak or worthless, it should be considered abuse. Think about what your parent said. Was what he said about your behavior -- or about you?

All parents who don't neglect their children discipline them at one time or another. Sometimes they fly off the handle, because they're human. But there's a difference between getting upset and flying into a dangerous rage. If your parent gets red-faced, shouts, throws things, threatens to do more than restrict your privileges or switch you -- or if you're genuinely afraid when your parent gets angry -- reach out to an adult for help.

Your parents should never hurt you. If either of your parents threatens to seriously hurt you -- for any reason -- or if one has done so already, this is generally a sign of abuse. Reach out to a youth pastor at your church, a school counselor, or call someone you trust for help. You shouldn't have to be afraid inside your own home. If you are, there are people out there who will help you find a safer place to live.