Is it considered an abusive tactic for parents to force their child to read in hopes of improving their reading skills in the future (even though it may not be guaranteed)?

I'm not sure about abusive. But not efficacious. That fancy word basically means it's not the best way to achieve the effect of having kids who are good readers.

So what does work? And is proven to work? It's dirt simple: Read to your kids. Every night. Even after your kids learn to read, read to your kids. Find books you love and read them. If you never read, get titles from book sellers, teachers and librarians.

Sit them in you lap from a young age and read to them. Do the voices. Make the sound effects.

Start with picture books. Segue into books with few pictures in second or third grade. Do fiction and non fiction.

Either you or your spouse should read to them every single night. It infuses book reading with love. It works.

Book readers rule the world. Future doctors, lawyers? Book readers.