It's the trend of games today. Everything is becoming increasingly dumbed down. I wouldn't mind a higher level of difficulty I just think breaking a mage's legs is the wrong way to do it.
When you look at the give and take, mages had to conform to the ability / trait limitations. I doubt any other classes are going to have to stand still while doing actions, buffs, etc... on penality of it being canceled. I'm not a cnj or a thm, but I can still see this as unfair.