We smacked DD1 - DH mostly and we had some doozy arguments about it. (So in answer to the question 'what do you do when you don't agree' in our case back then the answer was, we argued, big time).

DS1 was smacked much less and DS2 hardly ever.

DD2 has never been smacked and I do not think ever will be. (although DH has threatened to. Which I also don't agree with, because I think if you're going to threaten something you should be prepared to follow through - and I don't think he is these days, nor do I want him to).

What other people do is up to them. I'm not of the opinion that smacking is tantamount to child abuse (that is, just a basic smack). I do think it's hypocritical of me to teach my child that it's not nice to hit and yet I do it to them? I want to teach her that it's not okay for anyone to hurt her, ever.

I also, as I've gotten older & further along in life, in my parenting, have recognised that smacking for me (or wanting to) is a lashing out when I don't know what else to do. It's a fall-back method of discipline. I'm not saying that is the case for everyone but it is true for me.

FWIW I know people/friends who say the most horrible things to their kids at times, in front of others, damaging horrible stuff I would NEVER say to or about my kids, and personally feel it is more damaging than a tap on the bum that is then apologised for. I would never judge them though, never say anything about their parenting and feel that we are all dealing with our kids in the best way we see fit. Again I know some see little difference between smacking and abuse - I for one disagree and know others will disagree with me, lucky it's a free country
I agree with this also. I was smacked as a child and while I wouldn't say 'I'm fine' lol, I do think I have been affected more by what was said to me, and the way people in my life behaved in general. So I try to be equally mindful about the words I say to my children.