Banning smacking isn't 'modern' and since no country in Europe has banned it apart from Sweden and France you're with the minority view point not me. Why should we follow the will of the Council of Europe and take their foolish recommendations on board? Parents are 99% of the time able to decide what's right in regards to their own children and that includeds smacking as a reasoned and measured last resort for repeated unacceptable or dangerous behaviour. And how is using a load of %&?! marks more 'hipster' than using the phrase 'potty mouth' or the word 'cussing'. I am not 'old' although admittedly I am a dad and don't appreciate casual swearing just to get a reaction or to try and limit free speech (are millenials aware of that concept I wonder).
You're neither as 'representative' of current majority views as you make out nor are you as 'progressive' as you consider yourself. Your concern should be for the proper discipline of unruly children to avoid an unruly and unproductive adult population that thinks the whole world owes them a living because they got away with being a little Buddha when they were growing up! I don't dislike change only regressive change as is happening in the UK and especially in socialist strongholds where the NHS is crumbling despite investment. It's the leadership in these councils that is the issue not the money available! The Labour councils of South Wales are not fit for purpose and the Welsh voters (especially in the valleys) won't attempt to stop them because they'd vote for a red rosette on a donkey.
You think abortion and infanticide is 'progressive' read your history and see that the Romans were way ahead of you. You want to leave aside the disciplining of the next generation? Bear in mind that it's something that was discussed in the Bible hence this foolish view needed correction even back then and the outcomes are not helping 'modern' day classrooms;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2106948/The-angry-generation-Lack-parental-discipline-blamed-aggressive-anti-social-children.htmlBeing young doesn't automatically mean being pro-Corbyn, anti-America, pro-social media and liberal and deluded but keep kidding youreslf we're all living in Greater London with lefty liberal ideals if you want but you'd be wrong.
I'll repeat the acusation that you probably think eBay scammers aren't to blame for their own con-artist actions because they were most probably 'victims' of the economic situation they find themselves in and are "just trying to provide for their familes"!