I was smacked (wooden spoon or Dad's hand). Dad was quick to smack. DH was smacked. Our best mate was abused. He remembered being bashed by his dad at 6 years old so hard that he lifted off the ground. Chairs being thrown at him. Thrown into walls. He was abused up until he was in his 20s. He ended up being on drugs for quite a few years (he's clean now) and he has mental problems now because of being abused. He is borderline skizophrenic, massive anxiety, anger problems. He has never hit his kids or raised his voice at them. He only sees them every 3-4 weeks, tho. He's the sweetest man you've ever known and it hurts so much to hear him open up and tell me about his childhood.
Because of what our best mate when through we will never hit DD. Yes, she gets a smack on the hand if she keeps touching something. But "no" and take-the-child-away works wonders for us.