Some people are still making the mistake of thinking that "no hitting" means no discipline. This is simply not true. Hitting is legally an assault if perpetrated against another person. But somehow, if you are that person's parent, you think you have the right to hurt in the name of discipline. Discipline and punishment are, however, very different things. 

People who think that hitting and discipline are the same thing subscribe to a number of other myths, including that parents are to be imprisoned for smacking their children. They're not. Just as victims of minor (and even serious) assault seldom report it, the same is likely to happen with children. Children reporting is in fact even less likely. 

Research findings are VERY clear: corporal punishment in childhood, even the so-called 'loving smacks' have long-term negatives effects for individuals and society. It's time to stop.