I AM writing in response to your article re kids and football (June 15).

I am the proud parent of two well behaved and well mannered boys, one of whom has only been allowed to play out for the past 18 months.

During this time I feel my son has been witness to more bad language and threatening behaviour than he has in his whole 11 yeas of life.

I know you are probably thinking that he is hanging around with the wrong crowd, but surprisingly this is from our so-called neighbours and not the children of the area.

He has had more footballs taken from him or damaged by the local hench men/women than I care to remember.

When did people start being born middle aged or even old -- did they never play out as youngsters and would they talk to their own children the way they talk to mine? I very much doubt it!

I live in a nice quiet area with only a handful of young children who play out, between the ages of seven and 12 years -- young kids who are not threatening and not intimidating, they are just children playing out.

They do not stay out late -- they do not swear or hang about on street corners -- they simply play.

I think people should learn to be a bit more tolerant of our youth instead of condemning them the minute they set foot outside the door -- if they were out committing crime (I think football may well fall under this category in my area) maliciously causing damage or being abusive and foul mouthed, then yes by all means ring the police, do whatever is necessary but please let our children be children for the short time that we have them -- and for heavens sake 'get a life.'

ANON (the voice of the children).