You're failing to differentiate between beating and spanking. A beating is when the adult is out of control with anger and takes it out on the child, often physicall injuring the child. I agree that there is absolutely no excuse for that.
A spanking is reserved for punishment for a specified infraction. In our case, we give the child the option to change their behaviour forst with words and other types of reinforcement. If the child continues to rebel, it escalates to a spanking. Usually one whack, and most often not with much momentum. (per #30, I tried it out on myself first to note the amount of pain produced. It took a lot to make it hurt. It would take absolute abuse to bruise or draw blood)
The other reason for a spank is to reinforce safety. If a child continually runs into the street and telling him to spop doesn't work, a loving parent will reinforce those words with a small amount of pain.
Using a specific, purpose built object, instead of a hand allows the child to fear the object rather than the parent.
Still care to turn me in to the socialist workers?
Well, I think you're getting posters confused...
I haven't confused spanking with beating at all - in fact I pointed out the difference in another post. Nor have I said anything about turning anyone in. For me to do that would depend on a lot of other factors.
I did question the claim that it was a gentler implement. The simple physical characteristics of this makes it harder on tissue with all other things being equal.
I don't think it is disputable that a thin nylon rod like this - or a cane or crop - is more likely to break skin and bruise when applied with the same amount of speed and pressure as a paddle or hand.