[Jiggly]

Yes, with my comment of "basically dumped him and left him for dead", I was metaphorically speaking, hence my bracketed comment of "so to speak". In other words, due to their negligence, It can be seen as leaving him for dead.

I agree with what you've said In terms of a punishment-like act from the parents. But the way they did It was certainly Inappropriate.

I get you, that forest did have bears in it.

I totally agree. But then, a norm in one country isn't the norm in another. From my studies in psychology a few years ago, Japan has a very different attitude to upbringing than we do in the UK or US. Still, I'm not sure if something like this would be considered normal there and I hope it isn't.