It is sad but true, Ghost...and a sombering thought at that.

It is a shame that the world has lost it's innocence.
I look at my kids, and the expectation that is demanded of them by society. My methods of upbringing differ hugely to those exhibited by their mother - I have only just managed to teach my youngest son (4yrs) NOT to use the 'C' word!
I subscribe to the old school methods - firm but fair.
I try to teach them manners and respect, a trait that is hard to see in todays youngsters. It is hard work, and I am in constant fear of failure - but what more can I do?

It is not the fault of the youngsters.
It is bad parenting, brought about by the pressures of society. As Lulu said, we used to come home to our mums - not so now, as both parents usually HAVE to work to pay ever increasing taxes and levels of lifestlye. I know that my kids only spend 2 out of 5 nights, in their own beds - they stay 2 nights with me, but are palmed off to their gran whilst their mother goes to work. Hardly a stable foundation for a child.
But, as I've said elsewhere, I have to accept these things and make the most of the situation.

Childhood should be about all the things that Lulu was talking about, but I guess we lived in a very different world from the one that we live in now - such a shame.

Remember Spangles! lmaooo
And Space Dust ffs...how mad was that stuff!
And making rope swings, and karts that would have any Health&Safety offical in fits of anxiety! lol
I remember sliding down a gravel slope on a piece of corrugated iron....the worst that could happen, is that the sheet of metal would stop suddenly, and you would be minus four fingers on each hand lol

And accidents on pushbikes?....