KIyer (US)

Spanking or physical violence should not be used as a general punishment, only in rare cases to prevent worse violence on someone else by the child, and whenever possible after trying other methods of reasoning, persuasion and repeated warnings. It is the same way societies go to war. It is sometimes necessary when dealing with an obstinate, unreasonable, dangerous and potentially violent child or an adversary. Otherwise, using physical punishment as a routine punishment or deterrent does not work and should be treated as abuse. I have seen too many children of Asian origin being hit by “l(fā)oving” parents for minor things or slips. Verbally threatening to hit is also psychological abuse. It is what leads to a large share of problems when the children themselves grow up to be adults.