Do you intervene when you observe a parent being abusive, or in any way harsh, to their kids?

I've never been in a situation where I've seen a parent being that abusive to where I'd feel the need to intervene. Either way, I'd stay out of it.

I never really been in that situation. I have heard rumors that so and so was beating their child, but didn't actually see anything. The most I've seen is parents being "harsh," but that's not really enough....nor is it my business, because "harsh" usually meant strict.

No. And I don't consider spanking a bad thing, so that by itself will not make me change into Mighty Mouse.

I did witness one incredible situation in San Francisco once. I was leaving the zoo, and noticed an angry woman yelling to "behave or I'm givin' you an ass-whoopin'!" I turned around and saw elder grandparents with several small children, grandma pushing a stroller and carrying a belt. It was incredible.

We all boarded the streetcar, and this time I noticed different sounds from grandma, and when I turned around she was giving one granddaughter a nice back massage. The kid looked very content . . . a radically different, contradictory visions from what I'd seen minutes earlier.

Depends. I might say something if I know the parent like that or depending on what it is....but unless they were beating them into the ground, literally, then I stay out of it. Not my kids.

I never butt in but I hate seeing parents mistreating their kids and the expression on my face at it is a disgusted one. Really I never saw a kid be savagely beat by their parents so I never had the occasion to step in but I would.