Beatings don't really cure being spoiled or lacking empathy. My mother tried beatings as a remedy for everything, and as far as I can tell, they only taught me to be wary of her, and when my attitude didn't improve as the beatings continued, to hate her.
*EDIT*
Here is my take on her behavior now that I'm an adult and have raised a kid myself (without beating him, amazingly enough). She really lacked examples of good parenting, and she was either lazy or simply disinterested in making the effort that is required to raise good children, because that effort is a lot harder to undertake than to just hit the kids and then tell yourself that you are satisfied that you have done what was necessary. And if the kids don't "get it", then they are bad. Just bad.
Growing up, that was me. Born to be bad. Lol.
What you don't want, is one of those kids you trained in violence coming back for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0_9kHnGx90