[Howard Treesong]

I was spanked as a child, but only very, very rarely -- and I richly deserved each and every one. My brother, about my age, got the same. My sister, ten years younger, was not ever hit. All three of us turned out fine -- strong, healthy marriages and pretty normal relationships.

I've spanked my older daugher, almost eight, exactly once. She entirely understands that in the right (very rare) circumstances, I'd do it again. I don't think it's useful as a commonplace remedy, but I do think children absolutely need to understand that there are consequeces to crossing certain lines. Those lines should be important ones (danger or really ridiculous conduct; I spanked my daughter after she bit me) but I do think they exist.