In your country/region: Is it okay to discipline a child who is not yours?

5 comments

1. I’ve done it before a few times in cases where the parents weren’t around. Just simple things like telling kids who were running across the bike path that it’s unsafe since I nearly ran them over. I wouldn’t do it if parents are present, that’s their job then.

2. I think nowadays in the UK you’d just encounter an aggressive response from their parents if they were nearby, or even be told to “fuck off” by the kids themselves if they are older than about 11.

   So I don’t think most people would even bother trying to tell other people’s kids off now, unfortunately.

3. I guess it very much depends on what you mean by “discipline”. I’d say, it’s generally not appreciated to involve yourself in other people’s child rearing. That said, telling someone else’s child not to hurt other children, or endangering themselves don’t seem like it would be a major faux pas.

4. No, not unless you are their teacher or something.

   Then again, most misbehaving kids have shitty parents as well, but anytime you tell something to a kid you can expect a confrontation with their parents on minding your own business, even when you see the kid trying to shoplift candy

5. It’s straight up illegal to physically discipline a child and it would result in your child being taken away.

   As for normal disciplinary action, it’s probably ok but Finns don’t talk to strangers so you don’t do it to the kids of others. But if you were to do it, the child’s parents probably don’t mind if you are being reasonable.