Actions must have consequences, related to the deeds, but punishments simply don't do the job. They inspire fear, they make children try to hide their shit better, but they won't make them understand.
I am a parent of two. I know lots and lots of other parents. None (I'm lying: there is one, I know) would even **think** of hitting their children. It's simply not an option.
I can't believe, you were a so much worse person than every single child I know.