I was physically disciplined as a kid. I don't think it made me better or more well behaved. It was the adult's way of expressing their anger or frustration.

As a parent now, I wouldn't hit my child, ever. My emotional dysregulation is not their problem. I'm the adult and I should have the capacity to step back from roiling emotions of both me and my child, assess the situation and determine an effective way to help them understand why their behavior is not okay and what they should do instead, in an age appropriate, developmentally appropriate way.

I give our previous generations a pass. They honestly didn't know better but now we do. We have the entire Internet and can freely access so much information on childhood development, human psychology and behavior. We understand mental well being and mental health so much better now. Anyone still resorting to violence to teach their kids are frankly living in the stone age.