As pointed out before, it's a generational thing. If the parents didn't give their child a whooping when they deserved it, the school would do it for them (fact). It was common-think that if you didn't belt your kid in their formative years, they'll grow up to be flakes, losers, unethical, lazy, etc., etc. (sound familiar?)
My generation (X) was the phase out of hard discipline, and a kinder and gentler way was introduced...now spanking bare hand, not alone using a belt is thought of as abuse, when not more than 30 years ago it was thought of as just discipline.
It's hard to argue the results though...
especially these a days. Maybe they had it right all along