In our society in the United States there is a battle over whether or not a parent should punish a child. Sociologists are quick to point to cases of abuse and emotional injury. Some preachers hold to corporal punishment, quoting Old Testament passages. Punishment should not be an end in itself as often projected in our criminal justice system.
Parents are to be godly in their discipline.
God is a god of justice, but followed by mercy and grace, seeking to redeem people unto himself. Punishment with out a means of restoration is divisive. The over all view should be of chastisement, or punishment with the end goal being correction. Punishment should be coupled with rewards for correct behavior. The Word of God couples the two together.