Did Islam insult women when it allowed men to hit their wives, and is this considered a barbaric way of treating women?

Islam honored women and elevated their status, while they debased them. The equality of men and women lies in defining the function of each according to their nature; thus, the man is responsible for toil, earning, and guardianship (qawamah), and the woman for the home and nurturing. Guardianship is a responsibility assigned to the man, entailing limited authorities for managing family affairs. The disciplinary striking mentioned in the Quran is a non-violent strike, to be administered after admonition and abandonment, leaving no mark, and using a miswak or similar object.