The slap literally imprints on him the need for safety. No one would consider that child abuse. It is the legitimate fear of child abuse that Trumbull believes is largely behind the anti-spanking movement. The backlash started in the 1960s, he says, with the advent of more permissive parenting. Besides, most parents feel terrible after spanking their kids.
Trouble is, while spanking is down, child abuse is still up.