General Discussion

and the denial was especially tenacious in the 1950s, when people thought all the self help pseudoscience parenting books would guide them toward bringing up perfect children in a regimented society.

Boy, were they wrong!

We now know that psychopathy and sociopathy manifest themselves in very young children, usually in cruelty to animals, setting fires, and other indicators of a lack of empathy or appreciation for consequences. Signs of personality disorders are also present, but usually with fewer physical manifestations. The problem is breaking through the wall of denial that Mom and Dad put up, even when the problem has been recognized by multiple teachers, school counselors, and even the family pastor.

"Oh, it's just a stage s/he is going through, I did the same things at that age."

"The other kids are just as bad sometimes"

"We'll get to church more often, enroll the kid in religious classes. God will straighten things out."

"There is nothing the matter with my child, just a hot temper sometimes."

""He refuses to do anything I tell him and he's gotten too big to spank. Military school will teach him some disciplin." (woked really well on little Fatso, didn't it?)