[Aerkuld]

I think you're bang on about the lack of discipline and correct in you're observation of how you get viewed if you smack a child today. I think this is another case of generalization for the sake of simplification, meaning that it a lot less effort for someone to accuse you of being a child abuser if they don't have to analyze the circumstances. I am positive that there are situations where a quick whack on the back of the legs will restore order and teach the kid a valuable lesson, but that isn't to say that you routinely beat your kid.
Instead you have to train your kids like you do your dog with treats for good behavior. Then we wonder why kids expect everything to be handed to them when they get older.