Yes it was actually written as a satire on beating children
Well I wasn't beaten as a child and neither were my kids so that proves it!
No? well it's as good as the personal anacdotal "evidence" earlier - well maybe we can solve this by looking at what people who really understand the issues have to say
Reseach from the psycological bulletin:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.n...52/pdf/v083p00196.pdf
The use of corporal punishment is associated with significant increases in physical abuse, long term antisocial behaviour, and later as an adult the abuse of a partner or child, as well as significant decreases in beneficial outcomes including moral internalisation,
conscience, and empathy
That empathy point is exactly what I was (rather sarcastically ) referring to about people posting on the death penalty earlier.
"I was smacked it did me no harm" - well maybe they're not the best judge of that