I understand what you are saying. You prefaced your first post with the 'rehashing an old argument'... and that is what I referred back to.
To me it's not quite as simple as saying, "You think violence is a reasonable resolution manner." How does one effectively resolve some pervert leering in a window jerking off while looking at a 5 year old? Or someone murdering someone? There is no 'resolution' to these scenarios. I, for one, am not interested in 'working with the offender' to try and make things better. I wish for none of it to happen at all, but in the event someone has to go and hurt someone... there is only a response and to me... this response should reflect society's disdain for the crime: let the punishment fit the crime.
The alternative to violence is what I would consider a situation we have in our town. A sick freak has numerous pedophilia convictions. We keep pushing him back onto the streets and he keeps violating conditions of parole.
The soft hand doesn't work either.
the soft hand works in other places ... why are violent crime rates so much higher in the US? ...
no one ever is interested in dealing with the root causes of the problems ... take terrorism for instance - it's easy to blame a religion or "our way of life" and then go bomb innocent people and not feel any guilt ... why is it that al qaeda is as strong as ever and expanding around the world? ... no bin laden and drone strikes are killing off "top officials" weekly ... it's because violence begets violence ... when your first reaction to something you don't like is rage or anger ... you end up doing something that doesn't make the situation better nor prevent it from happening again ..
in trying to bring it back to the OP ... what kind of kids do you think this stepmom is gonna raise when they get older? ... what do you think their odds of committing violence is gonna be? ... less or more of they haven't been beaten at their early age?
To try and tidy up... there is no perfect answer to the violent problems that plague society. There are differing opinions on causal factors and remedies, but there are examples that belie all philosophies. There is no definitive 'correct' answer.
I think you seek answers to the questions you ask to support your premise. Regardless, I'll try and answer them based on what I know and have come to understand. Kids are at their most influential early. As they age, they tend to look to their peer group for the behaviours necessary to belong and feel valued. I have necountered many kids who have been beaten and are beaten. Some become aggressive. Some become passive and insecure. Some become reclusive. Some are damaged significantly. Some overcome and are fine. The reasons for the variety of outcomes is multi-faceted: strong mentors such as coaches and teachers help; early interventions by caring professionals help; and, probably most importantly in later formative years, strong peer networks assist in helping shape appropriate mentalities.
Kids are resiliant. In general, they want to do well and they want to please. Even the best kids get into scraps and behave poorly at times. The true 'violent offenders' we come across are anomalies. They are a by-product of 'perfect storms' where their genetics meet experiences that ultimately shape a person detached from society and humanity.
So... I hope that the early experiences these children have had can be overcome with the introduction of more positive experiences. Given this coming to fruition... they stand a pretty good chance of overcoming. Failing this... ther eis a strong chance they will perpetuate the cycle.
Comments
To try and tidy up... there is no perfect answer to the violent problems that plague society. There are differing opinions on causal factors and remedies, but there are examples that belie all philosophies. There is no definitive 'correct' answer.
I think you seek answers to the questions you ask to support your premise. Regardless, I'll try and answer them based on what I know and have come to understand. Kids are at their most influential early. As they age, they tend to look to their peer group for the behaviours necessary to belong and feel valued. I have necountered many kids who have been beaten and are beaten. Some become aggressive. Some become passive and insecure. Some become reclusive. Some are damaged significantly. Some overcome and are fine. The reasons for the variety of outcomes is multi-faceted: strong mentors such as coaches and teachers help; early interventions by caring professionals help; and, probably most importantly in later formative years, strong peer networks assist in helping shape appropriate mentalities.
Kids are resiliant. In general, they want to do well and they want to please. Even the best kids get into scraps and behave poorly at times. The true 'violent offenders' we come across are anomalies. They are a by-product of 'perfect storms' where their genetics meet experiences that ultimately shape a person detached from society and humanity.
So... I hope that the early experiences these children have had can be overcome with the introduction of more positive experiences. Given this coming to fruition... they stand a pretty good chance of overcoming. Failing this... ther eis a strong chance they will perpetuate the cycle.