After a long life of doing "this or that", you finally change your stance on it because you've lived a long life. You were "beat" at school? By the principal or a fellow classmate?

Perhaps you were a BIT unruly? Sounds like you've "had at it" a few times.

>"As a former "spanker", as a "spankee" and one who was beat at school, I have come to the conclusion there is absolutely no excuse for it. Ever. It demonstrates absolutely no respect and the people who strike are deserving of no respect."

There's a difference of opinion as to what discipline is, from a "smack" to spanking to physical violence. There certainly are boundaries. The boundaries of respect. And discipline.
I've known families who've done it both ways, some being very judicial.
This is often hotly debated for it's pros and cons.

How many kids of your own have YOU raised since they were babies?

See, you're an expert!