How can you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt whether a parent really is emotionally or mentally abusing you and not just nagging and what steps can you take to protect yourself?

Answer

We start getting into some interesting 'GREY' areas when we let anyone claim that they are being abused just because they THINK that's what's going on. If children get to decide that their parents are abusive just because they don't agree with they way the parents decide to mete out discipline. On the other hand, if it truly IS abuse, the child should be taken out of the home.

When we allow that anyone who CLAIMS to be abused can be granted relief from abuse, we quickly enter into a society where claims of abuse mean nothing. If abuse is to ever become the “norm” then serious abuse will go unresolved and unattended.

We should never ignore real abuse. When a man harms his wife or children he should be treated severely. When someone makes claims just to get his way or to intimidate his parents, HE should be treated severely.

Answer

The above poster is correct. I'd like to add that if a parent is beating you such as hitting you with objects, knocking you to the floor, giving you broken bones, black eyes, split lips, then this is physical abuse and NO ONE should be putting up with that! Mental abuse is a grey area and if a parent expects you to tow the line and be in on school nights at a reasonable time, do homework, chores, and worries about what type of friends you are hanging around with this is love and caring and NOT abuse! If a parent is of no help, torments and teases you so you are almost reduced to tears and laughs after this is mental abuse. If the parent does drugs, is drunk and abusive, is seldom home and your school work is failing because of this then this is a form of abuse as well.

I highly doubt your parents are that hard on you at all. It appears the kids today think they are hard done by if one or both parents look at them the wrong way. If you want to be trusted and treated like a mature adult then start earning that trust and acting like an adult!