I was spanked as a kid and while never traumatized by the spanking, it did unintentionally instill a fear of my parents in me. I was afraid to tell them of my problems because I could end up spanked if it turned out my fault. Maybe it had to do with my already shy, fearful nature. Spanking as discipline only furthered this trait though. Its worth remembering that kids grow into adults who may end up going elsewhere for support rather than parents they came to fear.