At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
I don't know the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath. But both are popular in fiction. I was just watching a TV show... Well, I'm behind on some shows that finished up their seasons in May, so you probably know the episode I'm talking about. Anyway, that's where this week's question comes from...
What if you found out your child was a psychopath? And was causing harm to others (like another of your children)? What would you do?
Sadly, there are institutes for that. If he was harming another family member, I couldn't have that.
ReplyDeleteHave him committed as young as possible to as good a place as possible. Flag police of any crimes committed.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, sure. But you love this child...
DeleteIt is easy for me to say because i don't have children but I would hope I would have the presence of mind to place him in an institution to get help. if I already know he was harming others, I would inform the police. in reality, institutions cost money and many Dr's in there may deem him/her safe and let him out which is often the worst thing. The cops usually can't do much since no crime has been committed. Sadly many parents turn a blind eye or do all they can to protect their child even if that child turns out to be a killer.
ReplyDeleteWhich is kind of what the parents on the show I'm referencing did.
DeleteThis is a really scary one and I'm really not sure of the answer. I don't have kids so I don't know what that's like, and if something like this happened...
ReplyDeleteHave you been watching American Gotihc, perchance? Because that kid needs to be put down like now.
ReplyDelete........on the other hand, if it was my own child, I don't know what I would do. My one aunt faced this problem way back when, and managed to push her son into the military. Now he's one of their top killers. I mean... SOLIDER. Top soldier.
That's actually an ingenious solution. But no, not American Gothic. I've missed that one. This show was on during the regular season.
DeleteGet help for them. Would hate to put them in an institution but want to keep everyone safe, including themselves.
ReplyDeletebetty
Hmmm I'd have no clue what to do to be honest.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, it's a problem we probably won't ever have to deal with.
DeleteSince my two in home clients are mental ill. I sure learning a lot about mental illness. I sure wouldn't want to have either one of there minds.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Yes, true. You have a completely different perspective on this question than the rest of us.
DeleteI can hope that is never faced by anyone I know or am related to. If it had been me, I would have done what I can to have the sick child locked up. Sadly, a parent would have to make that choice, to protect the family and other children involved. This was a good, frightening question. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYou'd think, right? Sadly, that wasn't the choice the parents made on the TV show I referenced.
DeleteI hope I never have to make a decision about something like this. If I did I would hope I could get the help the kid needed and keep everyone safe. It is often hard to read the signs of a psychopath until it is too late. I am loving American Gothic this summer. That little boy on the show is certainly a troubled child.
ReplyDeleteHopefully no one will need to really think about this. But it might make an interesting complication in a story someone might be writing.
DeleteI know what you were watching, and the parents gave me the shits. Love just is not blind! I'd call in the police and protect the innocent. Pragmatic answer I know - no apologies.
ReplyDeleteWhat was I watching?
DeleteWhen I lived way out in a rural area, we had a peeping Tom. Turned out, it was the son of a couple who lived in the nearby cul-de-sac. Our next-door neighbor was friends with the mom. I moved soon after, but I always wondered if that peeping Tom had turned to worse crimes, as Ted Bundy did. Chances are, he didn't, but it always makes me wonder if I should've said something and if I had, would the mom have believed me or defended her son? Probably the latter....
ReplyDeleteYeah, probably the latter. That's a good question, though. Would a peeping Tom escalate? Depends, I would think.
DeleteI have no idea. That's intense and kind of scary. I guess I'd have to take my child to see a psychiatrist. But I mean – how would I know? How would I find out? And would anybody that could help be able to see the signs as well?
ReplyDeleteThe big clue on the TV show was the other child ended up in the ER...
DeleteLock them up and toss the key. I'd have no qualms with that at all. Usually they start by hurting animals and if you torture animals you're dead to me. Family or not.
ReplyDelete