[TexasSP]

It's like anything, should be used only when necessary and in moderation. If you are having to use any form of punishment over and over it is obviously not working and something else should be tried. You also have to cater the punishment and/or correction to the personality and temperament of the individual. There is no one size fits all solution to behavior problems.

My son is strong willed and now and then it takes spanking to set him back on course. However most of the time we start with raising our voice, then to counting, then to time out (we have him stand in corner with hands behind back, works wonders), sometimes things get taken away (ie: toys, privileges, etc), then as a last resort spanking.

We do however not use our hands as it sends the wrong message. There is a wooden spoon for this which stings more than hurts.

One thing my wife and I both do is to talk to our son before and after he is spanked and we do not do it when angry. We make sure he fully understands what he did wrong and that we love him no matter what. It is always followed by hugs and talking. After it's over life goes on and we don't stay upset.

Now some kids don't need spanked as other methods work equally well if not better. With some kids them just knowing you are upset is enough.