Parent Denial

Would an abusive parent always recognize that their actions could motivate their child to develop into a mass murderer? Of course not!  Parents may claim that hitting or verbally degrading their child serves an important purpose of teaching their child right from wrong.  When their child displays undesirable behavior, such as having a tantrum in public or not sharing toys, the parents choose physical punishment, such as spanking or striking the head, over giving a timeout or grounding the child. 

 

Some parents don’t view spanking as being physically abusive.  “The only way my child will learn his or her lesson is if I physically spank him or her” or “My parents spanked me and I turned out perfectly fine” are common statements made by such parents.  Even if others state that their punishment is abusive, the parents will deny that they are abusing their child.

 

A parent’s failure to recognize the fact that they are physically or verbally abusing their child also won’t recognize certain signs and characteristics seen in children who develop into adult serial killers.  A teacher, coach, or nurse may recognize that the child has some social or emotional problems and suggest that they have a psychiatrist evaluate the child.  No parent wants to believe that their child needs psychiatric treatment.   Consequently, a child in need of psychiatric care will never see a psychiatrist and won’t be effectively treated. 

 

Next week I explore animal abuse in children.