I take your point but multiplication is a really bad example. It's one of the few things in life where really doing the rote memorization well, once, pays off lifelong. It can be argued "doesn't pay off lifelong for everyone!", and I mean, strictly speaking that's true.

But not learning multiplication properly is basically a death sentence for keeping up with later math classes, which is exactly what convinces a kid they are "bad at math" and shouldn't pursue entire areas of the working world, generally very rewarding areas, too.

My daughter is not naturally strong at math and I am naturally not authoritarian, but this is one case where being forced to do the work properly one good time (as in learn it truly well, once) is too valuable to let slip.