Do Bad Parents Create Mass Murderers?

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Since the 'Jack the Ripper' murders of 1888 in Whitechapel, London, the incidence of serial killers had increased at a steady rate. Names such as Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and Myra Hindley strike fear and horror into the hearts of normal people who cannot comprehend the subhuman actions of such violent people. Arguments still continue as to what drives these people to kill. Many believe that bad parenting and traumatic childhood experiences are a major factor in creating a serial killer, while others believe they are simply born evil, and that no amount of either good or bad parenting can change their basic personality. Statistically, the average serial killer is a white male from a lower to middle class background, usually in his twenties or thirties. Many were physically or emotionally abused by parents, while some were adopted. As children, fledgling serial killers often set fires, torture animals, and wet their beds (these red-flag behaviours are known as the "triad" of symptoms.) There are many facts to support the argument that evil people are made and not born that way. Over 90% of famous serial killers such as the infamous Fred West and Henry Lee Lucas were either from broken homes, or were the victims of abusive parents. Henry Lee Lucas's mother was a prostitute who treated him with sadistic cruelty and neglect. After years of suffering from her physical and mental torture, when he turned twenty-three years old, he turned on his mother and murdered her. Over the next twenty-five years Lucas was found to have committed one hundred and ninety nine murdered of girls and women, although he admitted to ... ... middle of paper ... ...nability to understand a troubled teenager means they are solely to blame for his atrocious actions. Although many serial killers have almost certainly committed their crimes as a direct result of bad childhood experiences, this is by no means always the case. In many instances it seems that an unfortunate combination of factors, including head injuries, heredity and mental deficiency, have combined to create a monster. Perhaps society as a whole should be blamed for not spotting such individuals before they commit these horrific crimes, and ensuring they receive proper treatment and counselling. Bibliography "Whoever Fights Monsters" by Robert K Ressler "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" by William R. Maples Ph.D. "Unnatural Death" by Michael Baden M.D www.crimelibrary.com www.the-fbi-files.com/criminals

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