If a kid does something wrong, he/she should be punished, it's as simple as that.

As long as a beating isn't unecessary, then I see no problem with hitting a child as long as they learn to differentiate between right and wrong. Some restraint would be required (as not to cause any serious injury).

I was hit as a child (not much compared to my older brother and sister), and I have no problems with it. If I stepped out of line, I got smacked, so I learned not to step out of line again.

Hitting babies, I could never do that.