Why is this different to when it is used by parents, which you endorsed?
because school kids are old enough to know right from wrong, so dont need a smack to reinforce it.
Young kids dont know, so if they disobey a parent (more than 3 times i reckon), a smack is in order to reinforce the fact that the parent should be obeyed.
As the child gets older, they learn that what the parent is asking for isnt bad, or must be done, or whatever.
A mother isnt gonna smack her 19 yr old son because he wont listen to her. Thats because the 19 year old should be old enough to know that what the mother is asking of him should be done, whereas a 6 year old is still in the process of learning.
As kids/adolescents/teenagers get older and begin to mature, their responsibilites increase.
If a 12 year old gets asked to put out the clothes by his mother, he might say "no fuck off" or "i dont wanna" (or something like that), because kids can be like that at that age.
If a 19 year old gets asked to do the same thing, he would know that his mum gets shoulder problems, so he'll gladly do it no questions asked.
(actual example, from my household, guess who the 19 yr old is
)
Maturity plays a big role, as does the child's experience of life.
A child is still in the middle of the learning process, so lessons need to be taught to ensure they dont become a freak when they get older.
A teenager should know basic stuff like this, so if they disobey/dont do homework/whatever, they will suffer the consequences, and it will ultimately be their own downfall. Something as simple as not doing homework COULD eventually result in the student not knowing the content, and not passing the grade, and staying in school longer, maybe not even making it out of school, then problems getting a job afterwards, ALL BECAUSE they didnt apply themself at school.
School kids shouldnt be doing their homework because they fear the cane.
They should be doing it so they get a proper education.
edit: wow, i only just noticed how off-topic i went, haha.