As children grow up, they should learn to control their behavior. Parents play a crucial role in helping their children achieve this. For a child to be self-disciplined, it is essential that at a younger age, the limits and the reasons for these limits are set by the parents. It is important that parents know which means to use and how to help their children. It's true that children need to have boundaries, but trying to set them using spanking is not a solution. According to Phillips and Alderson, it is "legal parental violence against children, from the 'tap' to the 'belt' and beyond" (1). Spanking as a way to control children does not have positive long-term effects, although some will argue that it should not be criminalized because they view spanking as a way to discipline children. Some argue that it leaves no marks and cannot be persecuted and, according to some, spanking is not considered violence. Phillips and Alderson assert that “there is ample evidence that hitting children is unnecessary and dangerous, and yet spanking continues to be widely practiced” (2). Additionally, spanking has many long-term negative effects and should therefore be criminalized. If a child is hit at a very young age, there is a good chance that he or she will have behavioral and psychological problems. Spanking is considered domestic violence and no one has the right to violate the human rights of children. Parents have the right to choose whether or not they want to hit their children. As Whiting demonstrates, “parents have the responsibility to guide and control the behavior of their children and to instill in them good moral values” (1). It is their right to decide which path is best for them to discipline their children...... middle of paper ......y The "gentle slap" should go away. » Children and Society 11.3 (1997): 201-204. Academic Search Elite. February 12, 2012. Phillips, Ben and Priscilla Alderson. “Beyond “fighting spanking”: challenging violence and coercion in parent-child relationships. » International Journal of Children's Rights 11.2 (2003). : 175-197. Academic Search Elite. February 12, 2012. Robinson, Bessie. “Child smacking law could label you a criminal” Northern Echo (April 19, 2000): 15. ABI/INFORM Complete Web. February 2012. Slade, AM and CR Tapping. “Pediatricians’ Opinions on Smacking Children as a Form of Discipline.” » European Journal Of Pediatrics 167.5 (2008): 603-605. Lisa and Mark Whiting. “Smacking.” Pediatric Nursing 16.8 (2004): 26-28.Academic Search Elite, February 6.. 2012.