Has no one mentioned...

[gbb]

My father is always saying about how when he was a kid and teenager (50s, 60's) that he never did anyone any harm.

A lot of his stories are about him being in a Mod gang, racing around north London on his Vespa, gang fights, stealing a coppers hat and once he said that he was jumped by a rival gang who tied him to their scooter and drove down the road leaving my father with a scab covering half his face where the skin had been ground off against the road. Also not him but some others in his wholesome-not-bothering-anyone-gang stole from a shop, as one of the senior members of the gang my father was brought in and went down for it as well...went to wormwood scrubs. He came across a rival gang member in there whom he felt compelled to attack (to keep the honour of his gang, of course!). What he didnt know is that the other gang member was currently partaking in an iron-working class and this guy grabbed a big metal bar during the fight and smashed my fathers head in...he's been blind in one eye ever since.

So yeah, whenever someone tells me that when they were kids they didnt bother anyone...I generally dont believe it!

You really shouldnt assume stories related to you by someone who's quite obviousy led a torrid younger life, that it means everyones the same
I gratuitously used fireworks as a kid, my dad would include us in the lighting of in a safe way and ive done the same with my kids (when they were old enough)
I had an air rifle as a kid. Yes, we did some stupid things (with hindsight), but never shot anyone, shot out peoples windows or even let them be seen by people in general. My son became interested years later...i taught him how to use one safely, without shooting up wildlife (which he'd never do anyway..he loves animals)
We climbed impossibly high trees, we swam in lakes, we had sheath knives, we drove old bangers at 15 on private land, and so on and so on...
Most of those things are socially unacceptable now...but i had the time of my life as a kid. No-one got hurt, no-one complained, i'd like to think its made me into a well rounded person who is capable of (and accepting others are capable of) teaching kids to behave sensibly even if its with things that are not generally socially acceptable.
Some of us can y'know