by Lora Hassani

Created on: December 13, 2006   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

The argument whether violent behavior is the result of heredity or up bringing has raged for decades. I contend that it is a combination of these factors that determine whether a child will become violent.

Over the years, behavioral scientists, sociologists, physicians and other experts have debated the cause of violent behavior. Some have argued that violent behavior is bred into children and that it's an inherited trait like having blue eyes. Others have argued that it's how the child is reared that has the direct effect of making a violent a child. This is part of the Nature vs. Nurture argument that still continues today.

In the book Ghosts From the Nursery, Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith Wiley discuss the case of Jeffery, a sixteen year old who was charged with the murder of an eighty year old man. This was a child that appeared to be like every other child in his age group, but wasn't (1997). While it is easy to blame the causes typically associated with violent behavior such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or Conduct Disorder its difficult to ignore the impact an unstable home has on behavior.

Jeffery, like many children, was in special education classes, was diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed Ritalin. These children typically come from families with a history of psychological problems. The argument in this case is that violent behavior is an inherited trait. An argument is also made that the problematic psychological history is the result of poor parenting skills and the inability to provide a stable home environment or the necessary emotional support for this kind of child. (p.103-108). However, this argument wouldn't work in cases where the child is raised in an adoptive family.

Studies done observing adopted children, identical and fraternal twins suggest that when given the resources, professional psychiatric support and quality parenting the violent behaviors are not seen in these children which are present in their siblings or peers. The belief is that appropriate medical, psychological and education at the right stages can influence the development of the child to prevent the violent behaviors.

The researchers conducting these studies work under the assumption that there are certain stages of child development that are key to how a child perceives its environment and how it will react to that environment. Children provided the necessary stimulus at the right stage of development will learn the correct, or rather, the expected behaviors

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