I beleive that there's a perfect medium to the scenario. I think simply talking to a child is just stupid. Sure, many of you adults are going to say that that's all that is needed, or that fuckin "time-out" bullshit, but from a "kid's" point of view, I can tell you straight up that the kid thinks your weak. And trust me on this, I know cause I constantly see young children (friends' brothers and sisters) get told by the parents not to do something, and the kid will get an innocent personality and appologize for whatever they did... and then go back to whatever it was when that parent isn't around, cause they know they're not really going to get punished. Just because a psychology professor is teaching something doesn't mean that he knows what the hell he's talking about, the sad truth is that most psycology professors assume that children have much of the same mental capabilities as that of adults, "they just have to be taught".. which turns out to be wrong much more than it is right. Most people don't understand how smart and manipulative a young child is. The children themselves make it seem like talking is all it takes to get them to behave, and most of you adults believe this shit, because you simply aren't around the kid 24/7 to see that they're in fact playin you for fools. The child's mind has evolved greatly over the decades, learning how to misbehave with out getting physically disciplined. So for all of you adult's that say talking is all that is needed... you're wrong. Now don't get me wrong, I am 100% against the abuse of children. But a sence of fear has to be instilled for a child to not want to do something. Most children don't develop the understanding of respect until they're older, so fear is the only way to get them to "respect" someone/something in my oppinion. And by fear I do NOT mean beating the shit out of the kid, all I mean is a simple slap to the back of the head or something... an action that is going to scare them, but not really hurt them... as if giving them a warning that more harm will be done if their misbehavior continues. I myself had this kind of "punishment"... a slight sence of fear... or "respect" if you wanna call it that. And then their was my grandpop... he never hurt me or anything... but he scared the hell out of me and I never misbehaved around him. What he would do though is take out a leather belt, fold it in half and quickly pull the two ends far apart, creating a loud slapping noise. And this coming from an old Italian with connections was just fucking intimidating. But my point is that physically hurting a child should not be done, and simply talking to a child about what they did wrong is just fucking stupid. The only true way to get a kid to listen to you is if they kind of fear you... yeah it sounds fucked up but it's the truth. Now, as long as that fear isn't caused from physical abuse, and as long as the kind wasn't just "talked to"... then as they grow up they'll develop the respect that parents want their child to have. I mean, at this point, hitting me isn't an option because I am far too trained when it comes to fighting and defense... but I respect my parents and all others, if I beleive they deserve respect. But an interesting thing to note is that Chuck Norris's father abused the hell out of Chuck when he was a child... and he grew up to be a great man, except he has not respect for his father, which is understandable. Now on the other hand, Paris Hilton was never abused or ever hit as a child, she was just talked to... and she grew up to be a disrespectful slut who can manipulate anyone she wants.... is that how you want your daughter to grow up??
here's where a "you break it you bought it" policy is good too. 
