"several generations of poor spin training that occurred in the United States for years in civilian aviation."
I don't think they've required spin training for years.
I for one, did not mind.
Part of my learning to fly lessons were in a Piper Tomahawk.....
"I don't think they've required spin training for years."
You are correct. I learned to fly in the United Kingdom and entry to a full spin and recovery was required. When I came back to the States all my students were taught proper spin recovery before I would solo them. I would take them to altitude and demonstrate spins and then have them do them. Once they were comfortable I would then show them how it actually happens on a slow turn to finals, I also did this at altitude. I would have them do an imaginary pattern but have the craft a few knots above stall. When they would turn finals I would then kick in to much left rudder and the craft would enter a spin. That is how most spin accidents happen. If you know how to spin and recover it is no big thing. To enter a spin by yourself with no training will scare the hell out of most pilots. In a full spin you are actually going very slow as the aircraft is in a very high drag attitude.
I remember the first time an instructor gave me spin training. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to make a rather large hole in the ground. It did frighten me. We have thousands of pilots out there that do not know what the hell to do when it happens. I have also did spin training for other instructors that were not comfortable with it.
PS
I no longer instruct. I am a pill roller now. (pharmacist)