What has happened to the level of discipline towards children these days?

I cannot believe some of the answers on here that equate a with abuse. A is not abuse nor does it lead a person to be aggressive or violent. I was ed and I do not believe that all problems are solved with hitting. Yes, as a whole kids are more disrespectful, mouthy, aggressive and down right ugly. I agree with I See You about the differences in behaviors among different nationalities. I have worked with kids all my adult life, as a teacher and as a mental health professional. The vast majority of kids with very severe issues are Caucasian kids. I don't really know why but it is a noted trend. As for the person who wanted to state that so many of the poor misbehaving, defiant, disrespectful darlings need to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and medicated is a prime example of what is wrong with things now a days. Too many kids are being medicated on very strong drugs. Now there are kids out there who really do have disorders and need medications. I would like to see a study that shows the link between pive parenting, TV Video-game entertainment, and the numbers of kids diagnosed with ADHD and medicated. My advice to be able to improve the quality of our kids is very simple. Use corporal punishment (correctly), begin having firm, consistent parenting, forget being your kid's friend, have rules, limits and expectations and stick with them. Punish kids for misbehavior. Love, hug and praise kids as well. There needs to be a balance. For them poor ADHD kids - unplug the TV, hide the video games and all forms of electronic entertainment and send the kids outside to play, run, ride bikes, shoot hoops basically get active. Thank you for reading my rant about how most parenting stinks now a days. Bless those who still parent effectively and have respectful, obedient, socially appropriate kids.