I find it amusing how we all, including myself, can be so different in raising our kids yet they all seem to be ok. That's gotta speak louder then all the opinions on this thread. The fact that I spank doesn't mean I beat. The fact that I was spanked doesn't mean that's what has caused me to spank.
The fact that I was spanked doesn't mean anything to me except as I look back I deserved it and it kept me from doing alot of bad things the second time, third time or forth time.