What is Spanking?

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition, defines spanking
as: "to strike, especially on the buttocks, with and open hand."

Striking an adult, anywhere on his or her body, for any reason other
than refusing criminal apprehension or in self defense, is legally
defined as physical assault.

Why do people fight to defend their so-called right to physically
assault their children? Is it because children are not protected from
physical assault in the US? Is it because children cannot fight back
until they are much older? Is it simply a repeat of how spankers were
parented? Is it a lack of not knowing better? I'm curious.

Why do parents feel the need to physically assault their children? And
why do so many individuals who aren't parents feel the need to defend
the practice?

And before one individual answers, this has nothing to do with
reasonable force.

LaVonne