I got the dreaded slipper when I was a kid in 80s and if I got sent to bed, my dad would be at the bottom of the stairs seeing me off with a clout round the head. I grew up excelling in the 100 metre races at school because my start was unbelievably fast with my experience running up them stairs avoiding that slap on the head, I was like Linford Christie! But this done me absolutely no harm, just taught me that I couldn't go round bricking trains and letting local shop owners tires down. On the flip side, I've heard stories from people I've grew up with about dads(AND MAMS) beating them up with sticks, cricket bats, iron bars, pokers, belt buckles the lot..and half the time for nothing other than being in the same house. I've never once belted my daughter, I've always spoke to her and explained right n wrong and having respect for people, and guess what? Never had a minutes trouble with her. Never shouted, just spoken to her.