It's probable that most of the smackers were smacked themselves, so misguidedly believe they are doing the right thing because that's the way they were brought up.

There needs to be an enlightened generation in every family line that breaks the mould, so that their children do not grow up believing that physical abuse is OK, hence don't pass it down to their children.

Apologists, and those in extreme denial, claim there is a difference between smacking and hitting. There may be, in the eyes of the smacker/hitter because of the intent, but there is no difference in the eyes of the smackee/hittee - and that's what they are not understanding.

The role of a parent is, inter alia, to protect their children from any aggressors. What do you think happens to children at the point where, in their eyes, their supposed protector turns aggressor?

There are more intelligent ways to bring up children.