You'll get a smack

What is youth?

For me, youth is a memory. Countless summers spent building bases in the shrubbery scattered around a council estate in the West Midlands. Scuttling around in brambles next to coke cans and old crisp packets with pictures of "Spice girls" and "Tazzo's" on. Sitting on an old car bumper and envisaging how I could set boobie traps so that no-one would "invade" the fortress. Wedging old "screwball" ice cream packets in the spokes of my bike so it sounded like a scrambler.

One day I just peeled the bark off a tree...don't know why, just did it.

Winters were much more special. A new bike made everything twice as impressive. Every bump in the path now became a "jump" and I could travel to Joels house in half the time, which meant I got to play football for longer.

My upbringing was pretty basic. Two older brothers, one sister. Dad was a welder, Mom looked after the kids.

I shared a room with my brother Adam for years, so as you can imagine we got through a fair few beds, as my brothers admiration for "The Undertaker" meant I was body-slammed through "the ring" on regular occasions.

What I do remember about my childhood in particular however, is that if we were naughty, we were smacked.

Both my Mother and Father employed this parenting technique with meticulous precision. Right on the back of the thighs, what a stinger.

I remember only ever getting smacked when I had done something really wrong, and considering I was a cheeky little shit it rarely happened, which is surprising.

Of course, a smack is no use if used every time a child is naughty, as a good telling off is just as effective. But when a child does something that truly warrants an arse tanning, do it. They sure as hell wont do it again.

But one very clear memory of my childhood is that of a boy called Aaron Philips, a lad I went to primary school with.

One day, after stealing a packet of "Space Raiders" (and getting caught...I was a rubbish thief) I came into school telling the tale of how my dad had given me a "good hiding."

During Milk time I told Aaron the story and he found it astounding that my dad had smacked me.

"My Mum or Dad never smack me."

I didn't retaliate, just found it strange.

But what happened at home time really stuck with me. Aaron's Mum had come to pick him up in "her brand new Mercedes" that he wouldn't stop talking about (my dad had a Talbot Sunbeam...awesome.)

I don't remember exactly what happened, but I distinctly recall Aaron calling his mom a "stupid bitch" in front of all the other mothers.

She did nothing. Just took the abuse and put him in the car.

Even as an 8 year old boy I felt empathy for her. The embarrassment she must have felt to have her child show her up like that in-front of so many people.

But that experience, and the Morals my parents employed through their teaching, punishment and love helped produce the rather smashing chap I am today, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The fear of the "smack" was what kept me from doing wrong, and without sounding like my father, and without using cliches, what has happened to kids today? Why are parents scared of smacking their kids on the back of the legs? I'm sorry but I'm going to say it...IT DID ME NO HARM.

Goggles when playing conkers? No more" baa baa black sheep"? No more throwing snowballs? Continuous cleaning by parents so that their kids won't get ill?

Jesus Christ let them enjoy their childhood.

Part of growing up is the scabs and bruises on your arms and knees. Getting chicken pocks and wiping your nose on your sleeve.

My ten year old cousin doesn't even know what a scooter is. The first time he went on a bike his mother had him looking like Shinobi in arm knee and shin pads.

The most recent report in The Telegraph had me absolutely fuming.

"Children were stopped from wearing swimming goggles at their local pool because of health and safety fears."

It continued:

Officials say the goggles can cause children to bump into each other and the rubber straps are dangerous if a child has them ''snapped back in their face''.

Here's another great one:

Wear goggles when using Blu-Tack: the safety rules ruining education

Blu tac? I used to eat the stuff.

Why are people wrapping their children in cotton wool?

Yes, your child is the most precious thing in your life, but they are much more resilient than you think.

I know I'm in no position to talk as I don't have kids, and I respect any decision a parent makes on the upbringing of their child.

But I remember clearly what it was like to have a childhood spent enjoying life and exploiting my adolescence for all it's worth. Even if I did get smacked when I was being naughty, i deserved it, I was being naughty. I think more children should spend their youth playing football, rather than sat indoors pretending to play it on the PS3.