Well I was spanked, too, and it didn't make me abusive or get beat up. You don't have kids do you? You're telling people, who got spanked as kids, how it would affect them when they just told you how it positively affected them. Think about that.

Do you have kids? If you don't, then you really don't know of what you speak. There is a reason that kids these days are spoiled, and think they know everything. They have a false sense of superiority and entitlement, because their parents don't have the guts to tell them when they are doing the wrong thing. And THAT is what leads to abusive behavior, as much as anything.

Of course there is such a thing as going overboard with discipline. If someone can confirm that this wasn't an isolated incident with Peterson, then I'll call him out on it. But anything can happen in a one time deal. Kids are precious, and can be really sweet, but they can also drive you crazy at any given moment. You have to do the best to manage your emotions in that situation. I can also speak from experience that I don't always handle it the right way. I certainly don't beat up my child, but I have definitely gone overboard in the heat of the moment.