Would you consider this child abuse?

I don't understand the whole punishing system. It seems unnecessary to display a sign of inequality. The rice and water thing, I get. But I think that it is uncalled for and arrogant to prove privilege or superiority by demonstrating luxuries in front of a deprived person. This is not technically child abuse (in the literal sense), but it is not a very humanitarian thing to do. Also, I think that consequences became outdated by the time that BF Skinner became highly acclaimed. I think that people learn best through example (how are you ever going to learn how to behave if your father demonstrates acts of selfishness and belittlement?). It's time for people to be taught what to do as apposed to what not to do.