I never spank my son, and never will. The judicious application of timeouts and other techniques is so effective that the mere mention of a timeout usually corrects unwanted behavior.
*example* starts playing with matches because they're fascinating...figures out that there are some things in the garage that make big flames...after the first couple of incidents that averted major disaster and you gave him the appropriate time outs...one of his buddies convinces him to "try it on something else"...shed burns down and almost takes the house with it...
i suppose a time out would put an end to that nonsense...
*example* obtains a pocket knife (gift or whatever)...learns that it can do some really fun stuff with wood with some parental guidance and rules...fascination with carving wooden objects sets in...determines that it wouldn't hurt anything to carve on a table (any table in the house)...tries it out on the drywall...maybe even some fabric covered furnishings...when confronted about the damage replies "i was bored"...
yup, a time out would put an end to that...
Punishment of any kind has one of three justifications: Reform, Retribution, or Pacification.
Reforming punishment is meant to correct future behavior.
can be accomplished with equal measure of parental guidance and corporal punishment if the guidance is continually ignored...fear is a powerful tool that can keep an individual from doing something harmful to themselves and/or others...when applied appropriately.
Retribution punishment is meant to discharge a debt owed to a victim, i.e. society, the family, the parent, etc.
no such thing for actual parents...
Pacification punishment only aims to isolate the guilty and prevent him from causing more harm.
see reform punishment...add that unfortunately for many in our society where current "popular lifestyles" that were once shunned are embraced fully, it is necessary to apply larger measure of corporal punishment than would be required for the majority.