[wdfifteen]

I was spanked once as a kid that I remember. I don't know how they did it, but my parents let me know that when they said something, they meant it. So we behaved. My cousins were the exact opposite. Their parents beat them, sometimes with a belt, but they back talked their parents and generally engaged in bad behavior. One got pregnant at 13, one at 16, one just sort of floundered around in life. They're all dead now because of bad life decisions.
My dad said to us, "You are all going to go to college. I don't know how you're going to pay for it, but your are going to college," and we did. Two of my sibs got scholarships and advanced degrees. The other two of us had to work our way through. I honestly do not know how my parents instilled self respect and respect for others in us, but I'm glad they did. It may have had something to do with the fact that they didn't beat us up.
I never gave corporal punishment to my son, but he has the same kind of self respect and respect for others that my siblings and I acquired. He's a Phd with two great kids of his own. I am so proud of him.