I think that Abigail’s reaction to Ben’s story about bing hit by a belt has to do more with her age than the amount of physical.
Anyone over 40 can relate to being punished by a spanking, strap, switch, paddle (even in school), ruler(favorite of nuns), and from where I live a "cat of nine"tail, which was a whip like instrument with several leather straps connected to it. However, people Abigail’s age were given time out, grounded, and generally not physically punished.I think that is why she reacted like she did, although a bit over the top reaction.