Myself personally, I was spanked quite often when I was younger. Although, thinking about it, not nearly as much as my brother was. We got bad grades? Whack. Talked back? Whack. It was always to the bottom with clothes on. When we lied we got soap in the mouth for a couple minutes and then when the soap was removed it was scraped (not hard) over our teeth to make sure the taste would remain for a little while yet. The lesson of all this was well learned; yet why the continual number of spankings you ask. ADD. Not the ADHD, just old' fashioned ADD. We were both extremely strong willed and disobedient. When told to do something, wether to help or avoide something hurting us, we ignored our parents. I cant speak for my bro, but for me most of the time commands went in one ear and out the other (sometimes, I still have this problem now with my wife...STILL learning...hehe).
In hindsight, my parents did the best they could with the knowledge they had. The reason they spanked so often was because nothing (understand NO-THING at ALL) else worked. Time outs only made me stew on how much I hated my parents. It really did. The anger just kept growing until it became hatred, and I would LONG for the spankings. I dont remember how it happened, but I remember telling my parents one time not to make me sit in time out because it just made me hate them more. They saw I was telling the truth (I guess) and sat me down and talked about it and I told them how much it was making me hate them. Time outs stopped. Sure, there were a whole myriad of other punishments that our therapist suggested, and not one worked and we usually figured out how to manipulate in our favor. Eventually we stopped going to the therapist. Figure out why.
So now, looking back on it all, yeah, it really stank getting spanked all the time, but I understand now there was no other way. Groundings, taking items or priveledges way, all that. Not one thing worked. The spanking did. And understanding that takes the pain away and makes me realize my parents did, in fact, love us, because if they had given up, or kept us in time outs, or whatever else, I wouldnt have turned out as I am today. Sure, I still have my problems, but I am, unfortunately, only human.
Will I spank my children? Yep. I do now. I give them one warning and one warning only. They know the consequences. Do I spank for everything like my parents did? No, my children are different from me; they are much better behaved than I was. Usually only a warning is needed. Small offenses such as my oldest daughters throwing a tantrum doesnt get a spanking, just a warning, a lecture, and then sent to bed for a few minutes works very well. She comes out after a few minutes, apologizes, and we hug, tell each other that we love one another then we go on. For hitting, running in the street, throwing things, disobeying either parent, mouthing off, etc. Yes, those get spankings.
To me in my opinion, not spanking is a New Age way of thinking. (Please notice the afore written sentence and register the words IN MY OPINION.) My wife and I have many friends, and they have families, and we have seen the differences between the spanked and the unspanked. The children who are spanked have grown up respectful and mindful and obedient. Not only to their parents, but to ALL others, even those the same or of younger age to themselves. The ones who have not been spanked have grown up willful, rude, disobedient, and have no fear whatsoever of any authority or of any consequences. I asked the now early teenage son of one why he acted the way he does and his answer was "Because I can. I can do anything I want and the only "trouble" I'll get into is a stupid lecture from my mom. As if that really bothers me. Its just boring, and she actually thinks I listen to her." Ive taken out the foul language and name calling of the parents. He has no respect not only for his parents, but anyone.
Take this how you will, its just my experience in my small portion of the world. From what Ive seen, the evidence is irrefutable.
Ill continue to spank.