Are we raising a nation of psychopaths?

1. 65

   hubby7posted 13 years ago

   Are we raising a nation of psychopaths?

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      SirDentposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      For ther most part, Yes!!!!

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      Justine76posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yes

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   BrianFanslauposted 13 years ago

   Yes Woogie Woogie Woogie ~~~~~

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   Len Cannonposted 13 years ago

   Noooooooooooooooooope.

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   dave272727posted 13 years ago

   Not to the extent that you would think.  With the increased number of single parents, and lack of positive influences on children we have seen violent crime rise as a direct response.  Parental groups and parental advocacy groups blame music, video games, or TV for these problems.  Maybe its time to actually be a parent instead of using the idiot box as a babysitter.

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      lrohnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I never thought I'd say this, but AMEN!

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      ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I've worked with those kids and, yep, for the most part it's the parents, not the kids who are to blame.

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         Crazdwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         A double AMEN to both of these comments. Working with kids its heartbreaking to see the parents don't truly give a damn and raise their kids. they expect everyone else to do that for them. Hello teacher not nanny or babysitter!

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            dave272727posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            My wife is a teacher, and I listen to the stories she tells me of kids coming in for class that aren't clean.  She has a set of parents this year that she believes are cooking meth at their home.  She has filed numerous reports with the DCS and they wont do ANYTHING.  I wish that there was something more that could be done.  I just dont know what that would be.

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5. 61

   dave272727posted 13 years ago

   Things like that make me mad.  Lets blame everyone else EXCEPT ourselves.

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   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   Yes. Just look around.

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   well, I know I'm not. I raised my two sons and taught them responsibility and how to think, have compassion. They lost their father young, and it was my responsibility. My parents helped, my friends helped. I became closely in touch with their teachers.
   A parent has to take responsibility for their children and stop giving them everything, and teach them how to work and be generous. I'm currently writing a hub on this very subject.
   
   how many parents are now taking their own drugs? crazy...

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   Leta Sposted 13 years ago

   Looking at the hubpage posts in here recently today, yes, I'd say I kind of believe so.    lol...really.
   
   
   I'd say sometimes it IS the parents. 
   
   I'd also say, don't under estimate the power of excessive video games and hanging on the internet to actually change kids' brain functioning.  I'm absolutely certain it has happened--and anecdotal experience plus scientific studies back up my belief.
   
   They don't seem to be able to concentrate or even read...it doesn't surprise me that they don't have the necessary thinking skills to make purposeful and socially acceptable decisions.

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   ledefensetechposted 13 years ago

   That's teacher's at fault, not the Internet, Lita.  Phonics are no longer taught in school, for God's sake.  Several years ago we gave a niece of mine my sister's old hooked on phonics tapes because the schools couldn't teach kids how to read anymore.  Things like blaming the Internet just mask the true problems.
   
   I remember one kid I worked with who just refused to do his homework or any schoolwork outside of classes.  Great, I thought, we'll just sit here every night until he gets his work done.  And that's what we did.  No activities for him, just sitting at the table waiting for him to get his work done.  For a wonder the therapist backed me and that's what we did.  Dear God was it boring, I even missed a few games of floor hockey, which really torqued me.  He finally caved and started doing his work.  Interestingly enough, he was much smarter than his teachers gave him credit for. 
   
   His teachers were a bit overwhelmed, after all they had a class full of LD kids and they couldn't exactly spend the time needed to overcome these kids' propensity to stall and make nuisances of themselves.

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      rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      so now you're blaming teachers?  it's society as a whole.
      families needs to be helping each other, extended families, friends, teachers. Lita makes a very valid point in relation to the violence on video games. some parents clearly need more help than others. we live in a society, not a separate box on a street. I'm surprised to see you blame teachers and phonics is still taught in schools, maybe not where you are, but there are teachers who very much teach phonics and phonetic awareness and its' being taught in pre-k classes. please don't make blanket statements like that... not true.

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    In America and somewhat around the world- the words 'self' and 'responsible', have come apart.
    
    Many people are walking around like they did nothing wrong.
    
    Many people are walking around like they didn't have the first clue that something was wrong.
    
    Many people are walking around like they do not care about others.
    
    Yet, no one can find fault with themselves.
    
    You elect crooked politicians or ones that side with business, instead of citizens. You are going to have a rough ride.
    
    You can see what is happening in America...Yet, you sit high and mighty, over the mess, like you had nothing to do with it.
    
    You might not have a direct contact, but you do have an indirect contact with the mess in America.
    
    Every citizen is to be held accountable for the actions of government and it's intervention into society, which is becoming detrimental to the health and wealth of America's society.
    
    If more people were consciously self-responsible about being a citizen and wants changes to occur...then it would be your DUTY to help your country to bring about change.
    
    Politicians MUST answer to someone. Otherwise, you give them free reign and sooner or later, you'll have no rights or freedoms of any kind.
    
    It starts with you- the individual person, who believes in change and really wants to see it come about- if you are a citizen and not on board, I would think you're already tired of the same old dance, but the truth lies in your power as a citizen.
    
    Again, in America- the idiots in Congress ANSWER to WE THE PEOPLE and forever will.

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    Leta Sposted 13 years ago

    I don't think one can blame teachers...the poor over worked, under paid sots expected to accommodate everything and everyone.  Nope--sorry.  I was going to be a teacher, LDT--but decided against it. They cannot do everything (now where is your belief in personal responsibility vs. the state here?).
    
    Ultimately, yes, it is the parents' fault allowing their kids to be babysat on the internet and video games and not instilling the necessary skills conducive to learning.

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       ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Lack of choice for education hampers parents.  Plus the idea that it's the state's job, via schools to teach things that have traditionally been the province of parents.  That's been a major discussion since I was in school and it still havsn't been resolved today.  Sex ed was the topic of the day back then, but I'm sure the topic is different today.
       
       Teacher's unions basically give you the choice of their way or their way.  Let's face it with a public option in school only the wealthy can afford quality education for their kids.  Since the introduction of public schools we've spent more money per student, yet our class sizes get larger and larger.  And quality decreases. 
       
       A British doctor noticed this consequence of NIH and since then, it's been a pretty accurate forecast of what happens when your nationalize things like healthcare, education, and other so called public goods.
       
       http://mises.org/story/3793
       This book is especially illuminating:
       http://books.google.com/books?id=VWNNYq … mp;f=false
       
       It was based on work done by Max Gammon in his study of the NHS:
       http://www.adf.com.au/archive.php?doc_id=113
       http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html … ns_law.htm
       
       I also found this interesting archive about a discussion on CHAMPUS reform in 1994:  http://www.archive.org/stream/departmen … t_djvu.txt
       
       Specifically:
       
       
       
       and
       
       
       
       It's remarkable how these processes can be seen in most areas the government provides "public good" services like education, healthcare, etc.

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    Mishaposted 13 years ago

    It is still not exactly teachers though LDT, it's the whole system. And any really good teacher put into such a system has basically three ways - change to fit the system, conceal his views and pretend to fit the system, or be expelled... It is really surprising what a big number of teachers manage to walk a thin line with the second option. I saw this in USSR, I see this here.

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       ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I know.  I saw it all the time at my old job.  It's the few who really are committed that keep things running.  I suppose I don't give them enough credit or mention them enough, but they're the real heroes.  Unfortunately they're in the minority.  Far too many people go along to get along, if you know what I mean.

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          rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          you're both right here, guys, except the word 'minority'. there are many excellent, dedicated teachers who work with the system and yet give more in the classroom, buying clothes, supplies for children who can't afford it. florida continually gets a bad rap for schools, but in this particular area, we have families move into this district for the schools. I'm certain it's true this way around the country. and yes, sometimes if you want your job, you have to do what is expected of you but decent teachers go over and above every day for your kids.

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             ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             What I don't see you asking Rebekah is why our teachers have to sacrifice so much to do thing that in times past were provided by the schools or just not needed. 
             
             
             
             http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www … 06685.html
             
             Spending is up, yet quality is down.  Why is that?

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                rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                it's like everything else in our country, everything costs more money. teachers have to put up with a lot of behavior problems that take up instructional time... on and on. I've worked in both public and private schools and in both cases, money was always a problem, although the private school before last year did well despite the economy but now the families can't afford a private school education. it's always easy to find fault but not always warranted even with all the figures you find. I don't really understand that mindset. why are people so critical about everything? I don't live that way.

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                   ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   It's not so much being critical, but asking why things are the way they are.  Why is it, for example, that costs keep going up every year?  You're right, that's a major problem and one of the reasons schools are so strapped for cash.  By not asking the hard questions, things will only continue to get worse.  Or to look at it another way, there's always a way to make things better.  I'm interested in finding those ways.

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                      blue dogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      it's called state mandated testing.  add that to the list of problems.  i'll continue, if you like.
                      
                      http://hubpages.com/hub/Incentive-Plan

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                         ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         Sure, you're right, but the whole reason behind state mandated testing was to prove that schools are really educating kids.  It was given federal reach by the disastrous No Child Left Behind fiasco.
                         
                         The nature of the public option in schools and the teacher's unions are big parts about why the system is broken.

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                Friendlywordposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Nothing is wrong with children today. Parents have givin up their responsibility to "teach their children in the way they are to go"  You said you sat a child at a table and waited for him to decide to do his homework. Children need guidance. You do not leave that type of decision to a child to make. That requires you to direct and dicipline your children. The children today are begging for order and dicipline. But, parents think they are too smart, or they are too scared to dicipline their children. You direct your children, you do not bargain with them. Children today are rudderless. They are not taught to respect anyone or anything. I was walking past a mother and her small child, he was not even school age, maybe 4 years old. He threw a bag on the ground. His mother stopped walking and told him to pick the bag up. Without missing a step he told her "no you pick it up" they went back and forth with this three times, before she reached down and picked up the bag and ran after him.  I know this because I had stop in my tracks the first time he said no to his mother. You are a SMART man. Explain to me how does that kind of parenting benefit a child? What hope is there for this future axe murderer? 
                
                Then their are teachers.  How can you call yourself a teacher, and walk in a classroom without a Phonics workbook, a English workbook, and a math workbook for each of your students? I was horrified when I first learned this from a teacher.  Then I started seeing the hooked on Phonics commercials. If you are not teaching children the basics what good are you?
                
                Nothing is wrong with children today. They just dont have real parents and teachers.

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                   Madame Xposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Wow - you really hit it dead on here

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                   ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   The kid wasn't mine Friendly, he was a resident at a mental health facility.  My options on dealing with his behavior were somewhat limited.
                   
                   
                   
                   Thank you for making my point for me Friendly.  That kids parent, in fact many of the parents I dealt with, were failures.  Despite the handicaps I and my fellow staff members had to work under, we did surprisingly well.  So it is possible to take a softer approach, but it takes much longer and success is much less certain than using old school methods, like my parents did me and my brother.
                   
                   
                   
                   You're wrong, kids today have problems, it's their parents.

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                      Friendlywordposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Thank you for what you can do for children. At least you try to help children. 
                      
                      But my question for parents and teacher are still out there. It not up to you to answer that. You do your part.  Thank you.

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                         ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         I miss my kids.  I suppose that's why I plan to go back to school and start a career in the healthcare field.
                         
                         Don't be too dismissive of my experiences.  You can learn a lot from different sources.  Don't all of us act a bit as parents and teachers when we lead our kids by example?  Even if we're not strictly related to them?

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                            Friendlywordposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                            I'm sorry, maybe I said it wrong.  I think what you do is great. I wouldn't dimiss what you do. I admire you for it.
                            
                            I want some parents and teachers to answer my question too. When I said you do your part I meant it. And the best of luck to you when you go back to school.

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                               ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                               Thanks, man, I appreciate it.

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    Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

    Oh that is horrible dave...and I wish that there was more we could do too but I don't know what it is besides getting in the parents face which of course can't do!

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       dave272727posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It is true.  I am recalling the scene from Kindergarten Cop when Arnie punched the abusive father.  "You hit the kid, I hit you"!

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          Crazdwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I remember that! Oh tha was classic...now if only we teachers could...

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    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    I have my axes to grind with the school systems (although I agree it isn't always individual teachers, but the system/policies under which they function); but while I think we can blame schools for a lot of the mediocre education that goes on, I don't think we can blame schools for psychopaths.  The blame for psychopaths goes on parents. 

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    How ever, attacking the school system as a whole isn't the only problem in America.
    
    STOP and THINK for just a second.
    
    The underlying cause for many issues across America is the stranglehold on CONGRESS that business has had for the last 50+ years.
    
    The emergence of Wall Street and Government working together isn't good for citizens.
    
    When "Wall Street" companies can make massive blunders and not be answerable to citizens is appalling to say the least.
    
    The Economy, which is made up of business to business and business to consumer(citizens) type companies, each has to make a profit to stay in operation. Each is to grow their income at least by 10-20% per quarter or per year. These companies answer to a board of directors, stockholders, investors and others.
    
    The average worker can only grow their income by 1-3% per year. So, you constantly are forced to pay for the increase in profit of the companies you use.
    
    And, if you didn't know already, you pay a State tax(in some states there is no tax), you pay Federal taxes, AND you pay the taxes the company you buy from is suppose to pay.
    
    You cannot attack just the school system alone. It's not the only problem.
    
    Bigger problem is how do you grow your income by 20% every year, so you can keep pace with the Economy?

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       ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Are we starting this again?  Your numbers are off.  You also don't take into account that company workers are also customers of the company they work for so wages paid are not necessarily lost to the company.
       
       The union of government and business has government, not business in the driver's seat.  Why do you think Obama is using thug tactics to beat industries to take the Party line?  If business were so big and bad, don't you think they'd take care of a President who overstepped his bounds?

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          Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I find ironic that you're about to sit there and tell me the numbers are wrong.
          
          ACUTAL FACTS more like it. Business is to build profits at 10-20%. This has been a standard on the stock market for over 30 years now. You don't agree, that's fine. But, don't tell me my figures are wrong, because they are NOT!
          
          It's the facts!
          
          Secondly, almost every job in the job market- raise of an annual nature, the most common is about 1-3% per year. Again, this is not a guess- it's proven FACT.
          
          Again, if you don't agree, too bad.
          
          I've spent time on both sides of the fence on this issue and you nor anyone else is going to tell me that I'm wrong. It's not that I'm stubborn and won't listen, but in my experience I've learned it.
          
          A prime example: I'll even use my own mother's job. She is a laundry aide for a nursing home. Her annual raise is based on evaluation and if passed her pay will only go up 1-3% year over year. That's how the company leverages it's profit margins.
          
          If you have normal everyday job, then your pay is limited on growth potential. It is preset and only grows when the company decides. Not otherwise.
          
          I've manager retail stores and as manager we were told to boost our store profits by 10-20% year over year. SO, if it is done on a store by store case basis, then it goes for the company on the overall too.
          
          A company needs to make a good size profit, so it can reinvest and grow, and expand.
          
          If you don't know anything about business or 'Wall Street' and how these things operate. Then you shouldn't open your mouth.

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             ledefensetechposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             First of all businesses have different levels of profit margins.  It could be 1-2%, it could be 10-20%, depends on the market.
             
             Now you're using the example of retail stores.  That makes sense that your bosses would want you to increase sales by 10-20% in years past.  70% of the economy was consumer spending and your bosses wanted a larger slice of the pie.  What you don't seem to get is that people were not buying stuff with wages, but with debt.  That difference is significant.  When you buy stuff with wages, you can sustain that sort of material increase.  When you buy stuff with debt, you cannot. 
             
             I'm not surprised you have the views that you do.  It seems that you've only ever worked retail.  There's more to the economy than just retail.

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    bimansposted 13 years ago

    I have to yes. The number of psychopaths are increasing day by day. Crazy things happens and also sad ones because of them.

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    EmpressFelicityposted 13 years ago

    Several people have commented about how schools receive a lot of money and yet standards are going down - I think that's true, in the UK as well as in America.  There seems to be a PC culture that prevents teachers from teaching rigorously, for want of a better word - it's not the "done thing" to correct children's spelling, for example, because that would make them feel inferior.  One acquaintance of mine has an eight year old daughter who gets glowing school reports, but writes and spells in the same way I did when I was six. 
    
    Drawing on my own personal experience as an adult numeracy tutor (a job I no longer hold 'cos the PC stuff and the bureaucracy got too much for me LOL): the younger adult students I taught were definitely less well educated than the older people on the whole.  They hadn't had to learn their times tables and had been allowed to use calculators the whole time at school, so they didn't even have the basic number skills that my older students did.

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