Nothing wrong with a good paddling, especial when young. more effective when done early.. Stops tantrums.. My mom use to make " Go get me a switch off that willow tree ' I use to come back with a little one. ' Go get me a bigger one' she would say ' My mom used Psychological warfare.
Sometimes the only way into a child's brain is pain. If you can discipline your children without spanking them, fine, but not all children are so easily disciplined/persuaded/manipulated.
Parents who just stand by and watch tantrums probably put too much weight on the "Ignore it and it'll go away" fallacy. If your house catches on fire, ignoring the fire won't make it go away.
I get my sarcastic sense of humor from my Mom. When i got out of line she would look me straight in the eye and say. " I brought you into this world & i sure and hell can take you out. If you don't behave right now " my answer was always ' Yes mom I'm sorry. "