I come from a south Asian family. Indian to be specific.
Growing up my mom used to hit me when I misbehaved. I think culturally that is pretty normal for us, or it used to be. Not sure what the deal is now.
It was always my mom. Never, not ever in my life did my dad hit me, spank me, or anything. Always seemed weird, but that's just how it was. Again, very similar situation for many brown people I personally know.
I guess now you're wondering how bad the hitting was. Well, I got hit with slaps, sandals, the occasional belt or hanger. Never severe enough to leave any marks or scars. Not beaten until I was bloody or lying in the corner broken. Yes it hurt at the time, but if asked if I could think of one specific time where it was really bad, I can't. It was just all throughout childhood and only when I actually did something that warranted punishment.
Flash forward 20 plus years and I turned out fine by any normal standards. Have a great job, earn more than a human probably should, and I think I'm pretty well adjusted. Never gotten into any kind of trouble as an adult. Never gotten into a serious fight. I guess since it was always my mother that hit me as a child and never my father, I don't personally ever see the urge to hit a child.
I'm not some weird case either. My brothers got hit, my cousins got hit, pretty much every other brown kid I knew got hit by their mothers and just about everyone turned out great. Almost all professionals in various fields (although that's also a cultural thing). Well adjusted human beings contributing to society.
Is there a balance somewhere?
I personally don't think children are punished enough these days. All I see everywhere are entitled spoiled brats. Not just brown people because I think the culturally there is still a somewhat heavy hand when it comes to punishments.