Handshape

Given the nature of my work, I tend to harp on the fact that "stranger danger" is over stated in that  statistics show that one is much more likely to be assaulted or abused by someone one knows rather than by an outsider. That said, I rather liked a letter to the Citizen about our local serial killer. It ends with a statement that nicely reflects my own view on the topic of violence as a whole and puts the dubious "tough on crime" agenda nicely in its place:
"Rather than investing billions of dollars building more prisons it would be far more prudent to invest our money in our children and the creation of stable and healthy homes. Only then will we have a chance of reducing the emergence of more psychotic personalities such as Russell Williams in our society."
 

Lynn @ October 22, 2010 10:55 AM -- Oh I agree it is not easy, the issue is complex, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. There are levels of anti-social/psychopathic personalities and levels of abusive behaviour. We can't help them all, but trying to minimise the possibility is a start. How? Well, we know that parent education can make a difference. Understanding effective communication, the necessity of social support systems, stages of child development/behaviours, positive child managment techniques, & stress mgmt all can contribute to positive, healthy relationships. It is also about giving children the tools so as they grow up knowing what a positive relationship should look like, knowing their role and responsibilities. Of course, this is about social programs which are notoriously underfunded and stretched, so I doubt it will happen. Putting more people in bigger prisons, that's easy.

Josh @ October 22, 2010 8:44 AM -- I'm very much inclined to agree with Steph & Andrew... the article talks about the "what" of a solution, but nothing of the "how". I don't see a way to invest said money "in children" within abusive families without the money passing through the hands of the abusive parents we're trying to identify. State intervention, as Andrew pointed out, already has a track record. What we're really trying to do is force the antisocial to become social... and I'll be buggered if I can think of a way to do that cleanly.

Andrew @ October 22, 2010 8:07 AM -- I read the letter and it seems to me what the Professor is saying is that we need to identify the mean, angry, cold, and abusive parents and make them kind and compassionate, or at least act that way in front of their kids. If that's not a practical option, I suppose the state could always take kids away from abusive parents. Oh wait, the state already does that.

Steph @ October 21, 2010 10:52 PM -- Good letter and I agree. Making those kind of changes in home lives is easier said than done however.