I looked at the study in depth, and children who didn't get spanked had less behavioral issues and what not whereas children who did get a spanking where more likely to act out. But the results were flipped in adulthood. Adults who were spanked as a child suffered less mental disorders, were less likely to deal with substance abuse and less likely to be social "outcasts".

Here's my take on all this. My mother spanked me. But she always listened to what we had to say. She only used spankings when things were serious, like the time I pushed my brother out of the tree or the time I got caught sitting on the roof. The spankings were quick with a plastic cooking spoon and then we were free to go. She never snatched us up or spanked us out of anger. Spankings were typically rare. Usually we just got our nintendo taken away until we proved we were mature enough to get it back.

I have spanked my children. I hate it. I have a temper that stems from horrible anxiety (contrary to the study findings) I am doing everything in my power to chill out. I am doing my best to find other punishments. Sometimes I put myself in "time out" so that I can take a minute to breathe and think about the situation and if it's really something that needs to be addressed or if it's a "kids will be kids moment". Right now punishment's are just a lot of standing in the corner until I find something that works. I just cannot bare the thought that I'm potentially creating a relationship where my kids are afraid of me the way I was afraid of my step father. Or a relationship where my kids can't trust to tell me things.

I am not against spanking. I am against me spanking my children. But each child requires a different approach to discipline, one that works for both the parent and the child.