Well, I must be going crazy, cause my post yesterday, was really meant for today. I really must have thought that yesterday was Thursday. I must be losing it. Oh well, we can chalk it up to the preggo brain!
Here are my TFT's:
I've seen several disturbing news stories lately (I know, I need to stop reading the news) that have really gotten me thinking about the general good in humans. I would really like to believe that we as humans are inherently good. That somewhere down the line, something goes wrong in those who choose to commit evil acts. I'd also like to believe that the majority of us out there make the right choices and are moral people. But, as of recent news, it's getting harder to believe that all people are born "moral". Take for example the father that threw his 4 children off of a bridge over a so-called dispute with his wife... WTH? Seriously, I don't understand that sort of behavior and how a human being can do such a thing to any other living being. It makes me physically ill to know that there are people committing these acts day to day without remorse or even the thought that what they are doing is wrong.
What do you think? Do you think we are all given a fair chance at birth? That our circumstances determine how we handle certain situations? Are people who act this way sane? Tell me what you think.
I'll tell you, I still think (I think...) that something, somewhere goes wrong in these people. I'm not saying that as parents we can stop our children from becoming a serial killer, but I think we play an extremely large role in teaching our children how to handle stress, criticism, arguments and generally all that life throws at us. I think we have the responsibility to teach our children how to be a functional part of society. However, I also believe that people who commit these acts are not mentally well. How could you be? I can't imagine someone being in their "right" mind and choosing to harm someone, or something. I don't believe in criminals getting off for murder because of the insanity plea. That's a given... You must be crazy to kill someone. Well, that's all just my opinion, what's yours?
i think it is a combination of things. i truly believe some people are born-have a genetic predisposition to "evil" if you will. or maybe mental illness which manifests it's self in startling ways at times.i think others are a product of their environment. and lets face it...there are truly many people who should not be breeding or have access to children.
Posted by: zoe | January 13, 2008 at 06:27 PM
i think that someone's upbringing plays a major role in who they are and how they handle situations/stress/emotions when they are adults. so many factors play a role in how people 'turn out'. however, i still don't feel that someone's 'bad' childhood or whatever is an excuse for doing anything that is wrong/illegal/immoral. i also know that there are some things that are beyond human control when it comes to 'mental issues'. but if they have the right tools that help them cope with their issues/problem, they have a better chance of turning something negative into a positive. i agree with you - it makes me sick to hear about all these horrible things people do.
Posted by: jenny | January 11, 2008 at 11:47 PM
didn't even hear about the bridge incident, but I am sick of hearing all the crap on the news too.
I think environment makes a huge difference in how people behave, but I also think some people are genetically pre-disposed to mental illness. There is probably a ton of brain research out there about this!!
Good topic. I just haven't had a chance to write my TFT in about a month now...hopefully next week!
Posted by: kristi sauer | January 11, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I think it can be a little of both. I think things that happen growing up can affect what goes on in people's heads. But I don't think just growing up in the ghetto makes someone a serial killer or a ganster. Just as I think that some people aren't wired right. There is a reason they are called psychopaths. I also think there is in innate struggle between good and evil in everyone, in which feeding the good fends off the bad. Which is where I think the teaching our children what it does take to be a functioning part of society really counts.
Posted by: RobynD | January 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I felt honestly sick to my stomach when I saw the story about the man throwing his kids off the bridge. So, so sad. I can't even imagine.
I think you're right, in that people who do things like that are not right in the head and there are some connections missing in dealing with some aspects of life. That or some crazy drugs. But then again, it does have to do with your upbringing if you look at some of the scary inner city and "ghetto" neighborhoods where people (kids, even) shoot people without even a second thought. Those people aren't necessarily crazy... it's just crazy how screwed up and full of hate they can be.
Posted by: heather | January 10, 2008 at 04:47 PM