[WillowTheWhisp]

It's obvious that most people here know the difference between a smack which is done out of love and caring for the child (in some cases to help keep them out of danger) and hitting with vicious intent which is child abuse. No parent who smacks a child does so with the desire to inflict physical harm. I agree with all those of you who have said that lack of discipline is the root of a lot of our problems with ignorant disobedient yobs.