“My kids turned out great” is NOT a response, certainly not a rebuttal, of the research. It’s like saying, “Economists say that the minimum wage destroys jobs. But that’s bunk, because I have a job.”
The research shows that beating and spanking DO NOT differ in their effects. Both have negative effects, and neither has good effects.
Somewhat like the "research" on Global Warming?
The problem with research on spanking is that it is a political subject, with conservatives believing in the value of discipline. If spanking is more likely to make a kid grow up with conservative values, then the "social science" community will go all out to try to stop it, regardless of any other factor, and will say ANYTHING they think will help stamp it out.