The Gemara [Ksubos 46a] learns the din malkos from the word "בן" that is says regarding בן סורר ומורה. The pasuk says וְהָיָה אִם בִּן הַכּוֹת הָרָשָׁע וְהִפִּילוֹ הַשֹּׁפֵט וְהִכָּהוּ לְפָנָיו - the purpose of malkos is to transform the sinner into a "son" who is ready to receive from his elders. The בן סורר's sin was that he wasn't willing to receive from his elders. והפילו השפט .. לפניו - the judge makes him "fall" before him, meaning that he must now subordinate himself to the judge. The malkos restores the identity of the person as a "son" to Hashem which is why the Gemara says כיון שנלקה הרי הוא כאחיך - after the lashes he is a brother to you and thus a son to Hashem. בנים אתם לה' א-להיכם.
[הגרחי"ק]
We live in a generation where there is PAINFULLY little willingness to subordinate ourselves. To place ourselves under a yoke. עול מלכות שמים. It is all about ME and what I want [at this moment until 5 minutes pass and I want something else].
טובה מרדות אחת בלבו של אדם יותר מכמה מלקויות. We have to learn how to happily and merrily place ourselves under the yoke to re-earn the title בן.
