Quote:
|
Originally Posted by willravel
As someone who does understand child psychology, and has the diploma to prove it, I agree with shakran. The actions of these children, though symptomatic of larger problems, represent the roots of apathy in the childrens development. Animal abuse is linked to conduct disorder (a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated). Among the symoptoms listed in the DSM IV for CD are "aggression to people and animals" (which includes cruelty to people or to animals).
|
I agree, but as you said, it shows apathy as opposed to an intentional attempt to inflict suffering. And I also know that cruelty to animals is one of the hallmarks of many forms of conduct disorder, including anti-social disorder. But from what I have understood, this is more because a person has difficutly in sympathizing with others (in essence, they don't register suffering of others). But someone intentionally trying to inflict cruelty would need to register the suffering to get their enjoyment. Now, a more sadistic purpose could develop, I won't dispute that. But it's a jump at the current time, IMO.
Quote:
|
Knee jerk replies suggesting severe physical punishment from the parents and others ironically would make the problem worse. I remain convinced that the best course of action for these kids would be to talk to a professional about what they did, without the parents in the room.
|
And here I couldn't agree more. And this was largely my point: people who want to condemn children for cruelty immediately want to use cruelty themselves on those very children. And they seem to see nothing wrong with that.