In response to number 1, I found the beating of his poor little girl to be a brutal and terrible thing. I think studies have all but concluded that physical punishment on children has very negative effects in later life, and pretty much just teaches them that violence is the answer to disobedience from a young age. Of course, there's always the danger of going to the other extreme, and not disciplining or punishing your kid at all, so you can't be a neglectful parent either.
I think it's best to find a happy medium, preferably without beating your children.