Sometimes bruises are easier to heal than are feelings of humiliation, guilt, and sadness. Children may internalize these feelings by burying deep inside themselves. These children may fear any further reprocussions by their parents if they let their feelings be known. Other children may not be able to control their rage and disgust and act out in inappropriate ways. At a hearing before Congress, regarding the issue of corporal punishment, the American Medical Association commented that the long-lasting effects of corporal punishment are detrimental.
Children are just little people with less life experience.
One adult may not strike another adult without fear of legal reprocussions. There are laws in place that prohibit this type of behavior from one adult towards another adult. Even if the adult victim is a convicted felon in prison, this type of punishment would be considered illegal. If there should be a bias regarding a person's protection by law, it should be slanted in favor of children's rights. This is because they are more vulnerable to be injured than are adults.