I don't have kids or a spouse yet, so have not had to seriously get into this debate, but I was spanked as a kid and it didn't affect my relationship with my parents or cause any mental trauma. It did teach me that there were unpleasant consequences when I was bad.
At my grandparents' farm when you misbehaved you got spanked with a paddle - picture a crib board with a handle and that was basically it - you got it once and right after you got it you had to put your name on it. The farm was the most well-behaved place that I can recall and we all loved my grandpa. You never received it without deserving it and you knew it.
It doesn't mean that I will or won't spank my future kids, but I think most people who were spanked did not develop issues because of it. I know of people who were never really disciplined (or disciplined only with time outs, etc.) and were some of the most screwed up people you've met.
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