I think there were issues about spin recovery with the PA38 when it first was introduced and possibly an accident or two. This was about the time when spin training was discontinued for the PPL. I did spinning as part of my training and remember being quite apprehensive about it and only got really comfortable when I did my FI course.
I would concur with BOSE-X and others that avoidance training is preferable, but a spin should be demonstrated to show the student what exactly they are avoiding. I was given 10 minutes of aerobatics by my instructor before I went solo and it was good to be shown that there is more to flying than straight and level.
There is a difference in gliding, in that gliders spend a lot of their time in a well banked turn just above the stall