[Thunderball]

Talk about a strawman argument... spanking makes you a sexual deviant because a few people have become them who were spanked? Sounds like the same braintrust that proclaimed masturbation makes people go blind. Yet, I don't think 95% of our population are blind sex deviants.

Spanking with "tools" is never necessary, and crosses the line between discipline and abuse. A good rule of thumb seems to be that if the hand to the ass alone doesn't illicit a desired response, then the child has outgrown the punishment and is ready for something new. By then, they're likely over 5 and ready for privledge based or psychological punishment.

Nothing makes me laugh more than watching a "new age" parent rationalizing to a toddler why their activity is wrong and essentially begging them to stop. Instead of showing dominance, the parent is lowering themselves to the child's level, or worse.

Don't like spanking? fine. Don't believe in it? good enough... but clinging to studies like this and coming to rash conclusions is ridiculous. Of course, spanking should be reserved for the most grievous of offenses, and not for everyday early childhood stupidity.