Why do many people reminisce on the beatings they received as a child with fondness?

See the answer below.  This is a classic case of identifying with the oppressor.

Oh, it isn’t the beatings we remember with fondness, it’s the fact that our parents/grandparents cared enough about us to make sure we learn right from wrong and grow up to be better people, even if it meant they had to punish us. Now that I am the same age they were back then, and have kids of my own — I fully realize just how hard that was for them. I also realize that it was for my own good, and that it did work.

Abuse survivors will often (consciously or unconsciously) side with the people they were abused by as an ego- and psyche- saving device. In short, who wants to be an abused child with limited power, subject to the whims of an unpredictable tyrant? Some people make an unfortunate psychological capitulation to terror, knowingly “forget” the wronged child’s righteous outrage, and conclude things like “it was for my own good” or “they meant well” or “it’s hard being a parent.” Some go on to abuse children themselves.

Others of us do the harder, more rewarding work of remembering the child’s pain, outrage, and sadness at being treated with inherent and willful disrespect, disregard, and unfairness. We hold ourselves and others to account for what would rightfully be identified as assault between adults.

Child abuse is always a failure of moral courage, ethical fortitude, and self-discipline, no exceptions. Those who defend, encourage, and partake in it are domestic terrorists, full stop. I remember my beatings with heartache, fear, and fury.

Believe it or not, I am saying all of this with love and as a rallying cry to do better.