I got the belt from my dad a LOT less than I deserved to and only ONCE when I didn't deserve it. In the latter instance, when he realised he screwed up, the guilt almost ate him alive. He begged me to whip him and I wouldn't do it, instead I simply forgave him. Understand I was a big, strong young kid. When I was 12 or so he spanked me and I laughed. OMG but that ticked him off! He literally balled up his fists and shook BUT he held his anger, sent me away, calmed down and found another way to get my attention and also let me know in no uncertain terms that I had a way to go before I was badder than that old marine!
Actions MUST have REAL consequences for anyone to learn right and wrong. Most people don't do "bad" things out of a desire to be considerate of their fellow man, others avoid those things instead out of fear of the consequences of doing those things. It depends on the person. Those consequences can range from a "time-out" to a swat on the tail to "you just lost EVERYTHING but your mattress, blanket and the clothes you need for school until your cranium emerges from your rectum!" depending on your age. When you are older it goes up to a butt whoopin, a fine, losing yer job, going to jail and even getting killed.
I don't consider myself "abused" by my father in the slightest. As a kid I tested his limits and without his guidance I would either be dead or incarcerated a long time ago. I promise you that as a kid, I would NOT have responded well to time-outs or things of that ilk. I had a very vivid imagination and could amuse myself all alone with pretty much nothing for hours. I love, respect and miss my dad dearly. He was a tough, no-nonsense, hard working and hard playing man who disciplined me how and when I needed it. No more (with the single noted exception) and a lot less than I actually deserved.