The important thing is to distinguish between
spanking and
training. The Pearls use this kind of doublespeak. They do
not advocate spanking babies because they are too young to be punished. They advocate
training babies. Now, to the untrained eye, they look exactly the same, striking flesh with a switch. But the important thing is the
motive. Also, the consistency. So, once you read his book, he will explain it with his good 'ole boy, down home humor and it will all make sense.
Anyway, this is why Pearl followers claim that he doesn't teach spanking babies when he clearly teaches switching them.