i am taking time to explore my faith and would like to learn about islam. i have heard it is a religion of peace, which made me want to consider it. but then i heard that men are allowed to beat their wife and children. is this true? if any one out there, who is muslim, can tell me anything about this it would be much appreciated.

i also heard there is a specific way directed by the koran on how to do this? where in the koran does it say this?