Growing up in Ohio in the 1970s, the term ‘latchkey kid’ seemed like it was invented specifically for me. My parents had divorced when I was about 18 months old and I had been primarily raised by my maternal grandparents. Like many grandparents, they tended to overindulge my excesses in behaviour and attitude at various times.
That kind of ‘laissez-faire’ environment can help turn an otherwise good-hearted little boy into an arrogant, spiteful, self-centred brat – and I’m sorry to report that my behaviour and attitude did frequently lean in that direction. This general pattern of behaviour and attitude set the stage for the most devastating spanking I ever received.