Technically this post has already been answered, the question being:
"Is smacking a child EVER acceptable?"
We have come to a conclusion that although it may be ethically wrong to use a physical form of discipline upon a child, that in some extreme circumstances eg. running onto the road, that this form of punishment is necessary. However the key thing here is what passes as “abuse”. It is definitely true that smacking should not be used as a first port of call, rather as a last resort. Obviously when reason and logic has gone out the door, a child will still respond to the primitive and basic smack on the bottom.
I don't feel that society as a whole celebrates the practice. and if we could avoid it, we most likely would. That's the normal people anyways.
Consider the metaphor of a doctor relocating a dislocated shoulder. Sure, it hurts like hell. Does the doctor take some form of sadistic pleasure in hurting you? or jiggle it in funny directions while asking you "that was stupid of you to jump off that ledge. Are you going to do that again? huh? huh?"? of course not. If the physical discomfort could be avoided it would.
In saying that, would you ever go and jump off that ledge again? Hell no. Not, unless you really liked seeing your doctor or really disliked your arm.