Question of the week for 5/5/14

[sarahisis]

In light of the Waseca school incident recently.... with this article for anyone who may not have heard about it ( www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/justice/minnesota-attack-thwarted/ ) I ask this question....

What do you think is the cause or who is to blame for kids, teens and young adults who are committing such acts of terror? What has changed since we were younger? It seems to have become more of an issue since Columbine in 1999. What can we do to stop it.. if anything?

Thoughts?

[deannemdm]

Not sure-- maybe food chemicals are increasing mental health problems?
I think publicity plays a part, helpful coping strategies are not learned in part due to massive use of electronics
Kids are not learning delayed gratification and want stuff/problems solved immediately and in the easiest way (for them).
Just a few guesses...

[sharon]

I don't think it's one thing but our guns laws are insane. Time to actually have those arms well regulated, or something that even approaches it.

[betherin]

So many things.....but I definitely think the large amount of coverage these events get in the media doesn't help.

[sarahisis]

The media does seem to glorify it... maybe not on purpose, but they do, so I think that's a big part of it too. I also think that the difference between now and the 70s, 80s, and 90s is technology.... kids are watching too much TV and playing too many violent video games. Parent are even playing theses games and letting them watch. Most kids don't get enough time to just be kids, to explore outside instead of exploring on Google.
And I blame the parents... they should know their children better than anyone and be prepared to recognize red flags

[onlyoneboy]

I agree with you Sarah. I don't blame the parents 100%, but, there is some blame there. There is way too much screen time and violent games/movies that kids watch/play.

I also think there are more non-existent parents these days. I understand most families have the parents working outside of the home more now than they did back when we were all growing up. With that said, parents tend to lean on screen times to occupy their children when they have things that need to get done. I think we are all guilty of this. I know I do it. Having a child with mental health issues makes me more aware of what is going on in his life and I pay closer attention to the small details coming from him. If a parent was not paying attention to that I can see where things might blow up.

I remember growing up and being taught to respect guns and having to go through gun safety. I plan on making my kids do the same thing even though there are no real guns in my house. I come from a family of hunters and I don't think gun control is the issue, it's teaching our children to respect guns and teaching them what guns are really used for. Hunting and target practice not killing others.

I could go on and on, but, I won't. So many things play a role in why kids are they way they are and how you are raised plays a very large part of that. I also think our doctors do not do an adequate job in diagnosing mental health conditions and insurance doesn't do a good job in covering the care needed for these conditions.

[sarahisis]

My husband and I have talked about how mental health issues may come into play with situations like this... and with him having experiences with it as a teenager and young adult he said that in MOST cases it is a copout... In most cases people with mental illnesses that commit these crimes have a definite sense of right and wrong. Of course there are going to be isolated incidents where a person is not aware of what he/she is doing or cannot tell right from wrong, but I think that is rare.

[lilmermaid]

So many things which many of you have already mentioned.

Besides the media reporting I would add internet access! Access to too much information, "how to's" in regards to making bombs, famous killers with all the details and so much more right at their fingertips!