I took enough beatings to do for my kids and there kids.
I think in extreme situations it may be nessacary. I've never spanked my daughter and she's almost 16.
I've only spanked my son once and he's almost 12. He's a great kid. But one time when he was about 3 yrs old I told him not to ride his tricycle down the drive and close (or into the road, we live on a back road so there is not alot of traffic but still can be dangerous) and I walked around the back of the house and heard him go "weeeeeeee" I ran around the house and low and behold there was a car coming and he was going about 40 mph straight out into the road. I panicked. I got to him before anything bad happened. But that day he got a spanking. I told him why and it was very important that he listen to me. He remembers that one time to this day and I've never had a problem again.
So to answer the question I'd say no for the most part but SOMETIMES it may be nessacary.
It can be over done.