Beating your kids serves no purpose. It may instill fear, that's true, but it does not engender compassion nor true virtue. It is a negative input expecting a positive result.
For many in my generation, being whipped was a customary element of our childhood. Before meetings, during meetings, after meetings, it didnt matter. If you weren't ready on time. If you talked or fell asleep during the meeting. If your brother or sister told on you on the way home. It was FUN to be a child witness!!!
My favorite childhood memory of the devout JW family is being whipped by a hot wheel track, a long orange plastic flexible piece of a toy race car setup popular in the late 60's early 70's. There is something sadistic in beating your kid with his own toys....