The Pendulum - Spanking: Disciplinary tactic or abuse? http://www.elon.edu/pendulum/Story.aspx?id=3626 not constitute abuse. As for Ward, he and his son have been reunited, and Graham courts have ruled that the parent should have the right to discipline their child the way they best see fit. Updated April 6, 2010 4/7/2010 1:39 PM