Let's make this clear: responding to your teenage child's words with violence is NOT OKAY.

[PavePusher]

161. Sorry, I think you are wrong on this:

"The laptop after all being his daughter's property regardless of whether HE paid for it."

I was raised with the understanding that anything that was given to me by my parents could be taken back if used improperly or irresponsibly. It was mine in only a limited custodial sense, dependent on my behavior. If they confiscated something given to me, it was theirs to do with as they wished; destroy, hold indefinitely, give to someone more deserving, etc.

Anything that I worked/paid for myself was manifestly my sole property. If used wrongly in a dangerous or hurtful manner, it could be confiscated indefinitely, but not destroyed or disposed of. When I had proved myself trustworthy to be given a second chance, the property was returned to my sole control. It didn't take too many repititions of this lesson for the value to sink in.

Note that the father under discussion here also promised chores, a job and grounding to his daughter. These lessons will be of great value to her in the future.