I think it was due to a few irresponsible teachers in the past, that just caned as hard as possible, without thinking of the effect it was having on the pupil that got caning/slippering abolished.
Girls of today are totally different than those of the 1940s, and do not just want equality, but want to be even more equal. I think the discipline of the past was a good thing, all in this forum were subject to the discipline, and some were punished at some point and have survived to be a responsible adult. Maybe it would be a good thing to return to it, but it is not likely, what with a no cane list, my little Johnny, my little jane etc, and todays obsession with the compensation culture, it is not likely.