Frag, even though I ain't ya poppa, I will smack you too, and I don't even know why. *smacks Fragony*


But now to be serious and quick...

Basic point is discipline. As long they're being raised well, disciplined and such, within normal boundaries of okay behaviour. If that means smacking is needed, then so be it.
Too much discipline is not good, though, I think. And no discipline at all is plain bad as well. A balance must be there.
Personally I think most countries should just activate the levy again (or whatchamehcallit). If those children haven't been properly disciplined throughout time, they will be in the army at a teen age of, what, 18?