There’s something radically wrong with popular thinking that’s for sure, but people will only change their views when it becomes politically acceptable to do so.
We need to acknowledge, however, that the cane was used in a total environment, not in isolation. By that, I mean that its use was supported widely in the community and the values of discipline, respect, and taking your place on the team were promoted. School teachers then had a much higher status in the community and were looked up to by parents.
That environment has largely been dismantled and we have produced an “I” generation, one which can allow a criminal who injures himself when trespassing to sue the owners who suffered his predation. How twisted has the collective thinking become that we could end up in this position?