Where you say,
But I also believe that many schools, that used the cane as an ultimate deterrent, especially towards the end of its use (70’s, 80’s) may have profoundly damaged psychologically many who never experienced it.
Yes, when something is rarely used I agree that there is an element of truth to this.
I can produce other quotes to that effect if.
That is why I believe Mercurio (Caning: Educational Rite and Tradition, Syracuse Uni. Press, NY, 1972) had it right when he summarized that for SCP to be salutary and effective, two conditions must exist:
It must be universally accepted, and it must be universally expected.