We aren't talking about giving children an allowance. We are talking about inflicting serious pain on a four year old child...a person who has very little accountability for his or her actions. "Misguided" is a nice way of putting it. Seriously, just think about that. A four year old child. Yeah, they can drive you crazy, they have more energy than other kids at that age, they can only comprehend so much. Beating with a stick teaches nothing except fear and anger. A four year old child. Come on.