Is it natural for a child to be a bit cruel to a small animal? (sociopath, animals)
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It seems that every single time a child is cruel to an animal, even if it's very small one there seems to be a huge outcry and the word sociopath gets thrown. Most people get alarmed and already want the kid to be seen by a psychiatrist.
I can only think of these short episodes (while I was in FL), in which there was a bit of cruelty on my part on a small brown lizard. They were done on 3 separate occasions. However, things never progressed to any other animals (besides cockroaches, which I have a deep hatred and disgust till this very day) and I've grown up to be a cat lover and normal family-oriented woman.
1st time: I was 7 and decided to cut part of its tail. Though I let it go. 2nd time: I think it was months later (same age). I was curious about what it does if it's in pain. I left my lamp lightbulb on for a while. I placed its back on the hot bulb for 1-3 seconds. However, when I saw it squirming like crazy, I let it go. 3rd time and last time: I was a bit older by then. I was in 4th grade and this time, I stepped on one in front of a classmate, killing it. This was the only single time I smiled for a bit. My classmate obviously didn't like it.
Otherwise, I would just collect them in a jar with holes, feed them and release them after a week.
No, I don't think it's normal. It's a bad sign. I grew up playing outside with boys, building treehouses and what not. We were always kind to animals. If someone wasn't kind to animals, that person would've been shunned.
Most times when children hurt animals, it's because they don't know any better (accidentally squeezing too hard, for example.) To be knowingly and purposefully cruel to an animal and to get pleasure out of it is different.
If these bad behaviors is not corrected, the next thing you know is oh I accidentally push this person off balcony just to see what it would look like.
If these bad behaviors is not corrected, the next thing you know is oh I accidentally push this person off balcony just to see what it would look like.
I believe children need to be under supervision.
I think it was my classmate's disapproval and disgusted look on his face that day that made me realize it was wrong. Never again ever since.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fleetiebelle
Most times when children hurt animals, it's because they don't know any better (accidentally squeezing too hard, for example.) To be knowingly and purposefully cruel to an animal and to get pleasure out of it is different.
No, I don't think it's normal. It's a bad sign. I grew up playing outside with boys, building treehouses and what not. We were always kind to animals. If someone wasn't kind to animals, that person would've been shunned.
Either way I'm glad you stopped this behavior.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fleetiebelle
Most times when children hurt animals, it's because they don't know any better (accidentally squeezing too hard, for example.) To be knowingly and purposefully cruel to an animal and to get pleasure out of it is different.
It seems that every single time a child is cruel to an animal, even if it's very small one there seems to be a huge outcry and the word sociopath gets thrown. Most people get alarmed and already want the kid to be seen by a psychiatrist.
I can only think of these short episodes (while I was in FL), in which there was a bit of cruelty on my part on a small brown lizard. They were done on 3 separate occasions. However, things never progressed to any other animals (besides cockroaches, which I have a deep hatred and disgust till this very day) and I've grown up to be a cat lover and normal family-oriented woman.
1st time: I was 7 and decided to cut part of its tail. Though I let it go. 2nd time: I think it was months later (same age). I was curious about what it does if it's in pain. I left my lamp lightbulb on for a while. I placed its back on the hot bulb for 1-3 seconds. However, when I saw it squirming like crazy, I let it go. 3rd time and last time: I was a bit older by then. I was in 4th grade and this time, I stepped on one in front of a classmate, killing it. This was the only single time I smiled for a bit. My classmate obviously didn't like it.
Otherwise, I would just collect them in a jar with holes, feed them and release them after a week.
I would have labeled you a sociopath back then too ... SMILING after you deliberately killed a lizard that was presumably not doing anything to you? That is very creepy behavior, not normal in the least. I would not want you around my animals today, no matter how many times you say you are a cat lover and normal now.
I'm sure some will find my words harsh, but I wouldn't take the chance.
I would have labeled you a sociopath back then too ... SMILING after you deliberately killed a lizard that was presumably not doing anything to you? That is very creepy behavior, not normal in the least. I would not want you around my animals today, no matter how many times you say you are a cat lover and normal now.
I'm sure some will find my words harsh, but I wouldn't take the chance.
So I should forever be held responsible and labelled for that little incident when I was just a kid?
So I should forever be held responsible and labelled for that little incident when I was just a kid?
It wasn't the action you took, it was the thought process that lead up to it that might deserve reflection. There was a very long thread about this same topic on the Pets forum several months ago. It might be worth a search to gain some insight.
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