Is French-style parenting cruel?

Interestingly, child abuse is perpetuated. Spanking is perpetuated. It's not clear why. There have been countless studies and they show that if you spank your child they will be less intelligent, more prone to alcoholism & smoking, less confident, etc. They will also probably spank their children.

I'm an American and live in France. My daughter is in the French school system and I prefer it to the International school here because it's stricter and really challenges the kids.

But as for parenting (what I've seen, at least) isn't inconsiderate of the child -- it's abusive. Presenting it next to over-indulged American kids doesn't excuse or validate that.