Woman Punishes Son On Highway After He Threatens To Jump Out Of Car
Discipline or danger?
By Sukhbir Cheema — 25 Feb 2025, 02:45 PM
A video of a woman using physical violence to discipline her young son on the side of a highway in China has ignited fierce debate online
The viral video, posted on Douyin, has raised questions about parental discipline, road safety, and emotional regulation.
The mother, surnamed Zhang, stopped her car in the emergency lane of a highway in Zhengzhou, Henan province, after her 8-year-old son threw a tantrum and threatened to jump out of the moving vehicle
Frustrated, she pulled him out of the car and began striking him with a tree branch while holding onto his coat to prevent him from running away.
The entire incident was captured on video and quickly went viral.
Zhang later defended her actions, saying verbal warnings had failed to calm her son, and she felt the situation was becoming too dangerous
"I knew I would be fined, but I couldn't take it anymore," she said, referring to China's road safety laws, which penalise drivers for stopping in non-emergency situations.
Her actions could potentially result in a 200 yuan (RM122) fine and a nine-point deduction from her licence, according to the South China Morning Post,
In a follow-up video, the boy admitted his mistake, saying, "I realise now that jumping out of a car is dangerous. I was wrong."
The video has divided opinion online.
Some sympathised with Zhang, arguing that parents sometimes have to resort to tough measures.
Others criticised her approach, pointing out the risks of disciplining a child so close to a busy road.
