“Ask Leah” Declares Washing a Child’s Mouth Out with Soap is Child Abuse

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In a world where nostalgia often paints the past in a rosy glow, it’s important to remember that not everything from yesteryear deserves to be revived. Take, for instance, the outdated practice of washing a child’s mouth out with soap—a punishment that many are shocked to find is still discussed today.

Recently, a reader reached out to the advice column Ask Leah, expressing her disbelief after overhearing another mother casually mention that she had washed her five-year-old’s mouth out with soap to correct his lying. “She seemed to think it was no big deal,” the reader recounted, clearly disturbed. She went on to assert that she believes this practice constitutes child abuse and sought Leah’s guidance on how to address such alarming parenting tactics without overstepping her boundaries.

Leah, though rooted in traditional advice column wisdom, delivered a refreshingly modern perspective. She noted that this archaic punishment was typically employed for swearing rather than lying, suggesting that its symbolic intent—”washing” away bad language—might be understood by children on some level. However, Leah firmly agreed with the reader’s assessment: “Forcing anything—especially something toxic like soap—into a child’s mouth is unequivocally abuse.”

I, for one, never experienced such a punishment, but I did once lick a bar of soap out of sheer curiosity, thanks to a classic holiday film. Let me assure you, the mere smell of soap 24 years later is enough to send me running.

Leah encouraged the reader to stand up against abusive parenting when she witnesses it, even if it means facing backlash. “If the parent reacts poorly, so be it. At least you’ve spoken the truth, and they can’t use soap as a form of punishment for your honesty.”

This call to action could certainly stir the pot in the ongoing debates among parents—imagine the uproar on social media over whether feeding a toddler certain snacks might also be viewed as abuse! But let’s face it: young children can’t advocate for themselves. If we witness behavior that feels genuinely abusive, we have a responsibility to speak out; otherwise, our silence could be seen as tacit approval.

Just because past generations employed the soap-in-the-mouth method doesn’t mean it was a good idea then or now. There are countless healthier ways to uphold family traditions that don’t involve such harsh punishments.

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Summary

In a recent column, Leah addressed the outdated and abusive practice of washing a child’s mouth out with soap. She affirmed a reader’s concerns that such actions are abusive and encouraged parents to speak out against harmful parenting tactics. The discussion highlights the importance of advocating for children’s well-being and the need for modern parenting practices that avoid harmful punishments.