[the_neurotic_cat]

Corporal punishment ... hmm ... I'm really ambiguous about this one.

Ideally, no. But realistically, yes, on a case by case basis.

Most children can be reached through other forms of persuasion but some can't. Some children, like their parents, are of an impulsive and violent breed and will only respond to violence. It's the only form of empathy they understand. People of this breed, left undisciplined, will probably go through life inflicting suffering on those around them whom they don't approve of.

But it won't work anyway. We have such an impulsive, animal culture that demotes inhibition as a form of weakness that any child given corporal punishment is likely to attack whoever is administering it.