[t-3]

Anyone who was often caned/belted/hot-wheel-tracked knows they didn't stop causing trouble, they just weren't afraid of discipline or fighting anymore because it couldn't be much worse than that. Beating children has always been about desensitizing them, not making them behave! Rather than being "raised by women's hands" and becoming soft and submissive, beat them so they can fight and win/live.

[noufalibrahim]

Not wholly. If you have a strong positive relationship with your children, an unambiguous show of displeasure can be a very strong corrective force. A gentle slap on on wrist is a one to show this and it's not damaging especially if followed by something affirmative once he or she has corrected the mistake.

I've heard of people from previous generations who've tied their kids and belted them. I find it hard to think of a way that can have a positive effect.

[t-3]

To be clear, I don't think beating children and desensitizing them to violence is good, I was just arguing that there's a reason why it has been practiced throughout history. The modern era of relative peace and social order in vast tracts of the world has changed laws and norms profoundly for the better, not least in making such barbaric practices obsolete and unacceptable to most people.

[noufalibrahim]

My point was that equating beating/spanking to violence on children (which is sometimes is) is over generalizing. I think the scenario I mentioned exhibits the argument. If not, I'd be interested in hearing why you think not.