So you're saying that neither the threat of it, nor the use of it, actually worked. Thanks for giving first hand experience.
My experience was the strap was 99.9% threat only in my school by the time I started going. I can recall one of my brothers friends getting it, and it did dick all. That kid had a nasty home life and lashed out all the time. Without the root cause being treated, he'll never be cured. That's the crux of the issue with corporal punishment by an outside source. Without the home life being corrected, the kid will just keep lashing out, out of frustration and anger.
As was already stated by someone, parents need to stop being their kids friends. Whenever someone asked me why my kids were so well behaved, I told them it's very simple, don't try to be their friends, and say no frequently.