I thoroughly agree with this. If the kid does what you tell him to, you know you're doing something right. My wife consistently burnt my coffee before I started beating her, and nothing seemed to work. After she realized that burning it would get her a punch in the face, my coffee has been perfect! Clearly beating is a working method. Asking her to 'just be careful' wasn't enough, despite what you unmarried hippies preach.
It's a lose/lose situation.