Spanking Hogwash. I'm thankful for every single spanking I received as a child. The popular "rods" of discipline in my youth were: palm of a hand, fly-flaps, switches, house shoes and a leather belt. Never on the face or torso. Rear-end and upper legs were the choice targets. (Of course, switches worked well on lower legs and ankles.) I needed every single one of them - and probably more. I can personally testify that most young boys DO NOT understand anything other than corporal punishment when they have foolishness on their minds. Giving a kid a "time out" is handing the kid a victory. A leather strap or switch will instantly bring a young man's attention onto what mommy or daddy is trying to communicate.

Further, when the discipline is consistent and fair, a child becomes a fast learner and will receive fewer and fewer spankings as he begins to 'regulate' his own behavior, so as to avoid displeasing his parents.

I will concede that all children are different, and therefore discipline can come in many different, yet effective, forms. Further, corporal punishment administered harshly or inconsistently (where children don't know what the 'rules' are ahead of time) can be ineffective and will only irritate the child, making the matter worse.

However, for me personally, a good "spanking" or "whipping" was the right thing. One lash spoke volumes, thereby not wasting my time or my parents' time 'explaining' things to me.

PS: I see kids in department stores (between the ages of 6 and 10) throwing fits, screaming and rolling around of the floor, talking disrespectfully to their parents. I wonder which method of discipline their parents are using?

PSS: This subject need not by gloomy. Listen to Bill Cosby's 'Himself' album, particularly the piece called Same Thing Happens Every Night. He explains that his children simply won't sleep at night until they've had their 'beating'. It's quite funny.