[Dvjkefdw]

...stuff...

You seem to be suggesting that the physical domination of children as being the only means of 'correctly' raising a child - as I mentioned before, I have seen more than enough evidence of children being raised without ever being smacked, not once, and have turned out just fine; I've also seen plenty of evidence of children who have been smacked, and still turned out fine and those that have been smacked (note, not abused) and turned out not in the least bit fine. This shows that physical discipline is no better than non-physical discipline, when examined over a large sample.

So for myself, I can see no reason as to why physical discipline should be used at all. To me, a smack is the easiest/quickest/laziest form of discipline, which is why it is so frequently used (and for all ages) - for children, it simply tells them "that action is rewarded by pain" but little else. It is control through fear, not understanding; it's education through punishment, not reward.

If people think that's fine, then go ahead - do whatever you think is best - but I'll never condone it.