Now I think this falls under the every child is different category. I always had a low pain tolerance, and was always a wimp about pain. My mom NEVER abused me, but the three spankings I got as a teen (13, 14, and 16) were all enough to "change behavior", and I would have traded any of them for a grounding in a heartbeat. I also was the type to not super mind grounding, I liked to read, was happy being alone if I had to be, etc. Now I don't think my preferences or experiences are indicative of "most" teens, but as always, parent to the child, not to children in general