We all think we know it when we see it, but in actuality, whether a particular action constitutes abuse depends heavily on the circumstances and the social climate. Not so long ago, physical punishment and beatings were widely accepted as a method of punishment and discipline of even small children. Now, many parents are foregoing the physical aspect of punishment. In fact, in Sweden parents are forbidden by law to spank or slap a child for any reason. Child abuse and neglect are generally defined by state statutes.
Abuse usually occurs when a parent purposefully harms a child.
Neglect usually arises from a parent's passive indifference to a child's well-being. In contrast, leaving the child alone or failing to feed him or her for a long period of time would constitute neglect. Placing the child in a dangerous situation might be both. You would have to check the statute in your state to find out exactly what the definitions of child abuse and child neglect are. In most cases, you can discipline your child with a slap or a spanking so long as you don't cause physical injury.