Sometimes, it works. I got spanked a ton of times when I was younger. Spanked of course, being me laying on the ground pantsless and getting hit on the ass. Just slap a 5 year old's hands, it worked well in my family. Of course, the parants need to be responsible enough to not hit too hard.
I understand a slap to the face and such to a teen, but then a good kid should have grown out of things enough to where just a talking would have had a big effect.