Molly Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 In a Facebook group for moms I responded to a topic about what to do if the child of a friend hits, chokes, screams, or acts aggressively toward your own child. The original poster thought the child might be a "psychopath", he's also just 5. I suggested the child could be acting out because of abuse or bullying at home, with a caretaker, or at school... what do I know, but nobody else suggested that's what it could be. The defensiveness of the moms who claimed to also have "that kid" that followed was disappointing, but not shocking. I consider myself to have been one of "those kids" growing up and acted out aggression on others, mainly my siblings, so I know what I'm talking about. Is this a lost cause talking openly about this subject of child abuse? 2
villagewisdom Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 Please don't give up. Perhaps sharing your own experience would be beneficial. Please keep bringing the message. 1
Carl Green Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 Such groups are the very ones that need a denormalizing voice the most. You'll not change everyone's mind but you might at least get one of the other moms thinking which is well worth the 5 minutes it takes to make such a vital opinion be heard. 2
DaviesMa Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 Society has to attribute random labels to children such as 'psycho' and to pass moral judgement because to do otherwise provides a huge red flag about the quality of parenting. It is easier to assign full moral responsibility no matter what the child has encountered in the past. It is an irony that the original poster is defining the child as a psychopath, when they don't seem to be able to express empathy with a very troubled 5 year old. I would keep talking about it. Maybe find some articles on the link between anger and child abuse, although I am not sure if that would help if they don't want to change. I wouldn't stop speaking out however, as the denial of cause and effect in parenting is exactly what abusers want. 1
Omegahero09 Posted April 3, 2015 Posted April 3, 2015 Who will speak for those little kids, when their own parents won't speak for them? Be a flare! 1
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