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Why Some Kids Turn Violent




For millions of American children, the world they encounter is relentlessly menacing and hostile. So, with astounding speed and efficiency, their brains adapt and prepare for battle. Cells form trillions of new connections that create the chemical pathways of aggression; some chemicals are produced in overabundance, some are repressed.

In studies with children and adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders, low serotonin levels was the single most accurate predictor of which youngsters would go on to commit more violent crimes or suicide. Conversely, high levels of noradrenaline were the chemical signature of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The rising tide of abuse and neglect of children occurs during the critical period when children are developing what is called "moral emotions." These are emotions that are rooted in brain chemistry and are established in the first three years of life. The development of impulse control occurs at a time when sensitivity toward others is also being rooted in a child¡¯s personality.

The brain¡¯s alarm network, called the locus coeruleus, sits at the base of the brain and sends out noradrenaline pathways to other brain centers that control heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, emotions, and motivation.

When the locus coeruleus finds itself in an uncontrollable, threatening environment, it sets its noradrenaline gauge on high. Over the pathways come surges of the stress hormone that keep the body in a constant state of readiness?heart racing, blood pressure high, easy to startle, quick to blow up. These are the PTSD children.

Perry says that these children are in double trouble. They¡¯re at risk because they don¡¯t have the opportunities to learn the traditional ways that enable people to get along in society, and they are at risk because the brain systems involved in impulsivity are poorly regulated. The increased tendency to act before thinking, combined with language handicaps and poor problem solving skills, predisposes these children to use aggressive and violent strategies to deal with life¡¯s daily challenges.

While high noradrenaline and low serotonin appear to be behind the huge rise of impulsive, hot-blooded crime in the United States, scientists are also starting to study the effects of low noradrenaline which is linked to cold-blooded, premeditated crime. Researchers are finding that the differences between high and low noradrenaline may be two sides of the same coin?impulsive, hot-blooded killers vs. remorseless serial killers who coolly look for vulnerable victims they can stalk to rape, rob, or kill.

Baylor¡¯s Perry is studying children who start off in the alarm state with high noradrenaline and impulsive behavior, and then around puberty convert to low noradrenaline, low arousal, and predatory behavior.

One explanation for the change may be that brain cells exposed to constant stress burn out, dropping to a lower level of activity to save themselves. Perry said it¡¯s really scary to watch the transition from high arousal to low arousal. "They change from being victims to victimizers and they develop this incredible icy quality of being emotionless."

Like the generational increase in depression after World War II, every generation since the 1950s has seen an increase in young female aggression. The pattern that is emerging is of girls who are increasingly victims of child abuse, who grow up angry and have children with men who are likely to also be aggressive. As a result, succeeding generations of children are being born to aggressive parents and into aggression-inducing environments.

We¡¯ve considered the interplay between biological influences?nature?and environmental influences?nurture?and it¡¯s a daunting concept for the future of this society unless we as prosocial, responsible adults get involved. Dr. John J. DiIulio, Jr., Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, coined the perfect phrase for the environment in which many children find themselves: "Moral Poverty."

Moral poverty is the poverty of being without loving, capable, responsible adults who teach you right from wrong. It is the poverty of being without parents, guardians, relatives, friends, teachers, coaches, clergy, and others who habituate you to feel joy at other¡¯s joy, pain at other¡¯s pain, happiness when you do right, remorse when you do wrong. It is the poverty of growing up in the virtual absence of people who teach these lessons by their own everyday example, and who insist that you follow suit and behave accordingly. In the extreme, it is the poverty of growing up surrounded by deviant, delinquent, and criminal adults in chaotic, dysfunctional, fatherless, Godless, and jobless settings where drug abuse and child abuse are twins, and self-respecting young men literally aspire to get away with murder.7

So what can be done to counteract this? Adults and communities need to embrace children and assume responsibility for their positive outcome. Children and youth need the nurturance and guidance of a positive adult role model. Research shows that mentors can make a significant difference in a child¡¯s life.

A caring adult parenting figure is often associated with a good outcome for the child.
A caring adult is the most significant and consistent prevention influence during a major disaster, trauma, deprivation or abuse.
A caring adult causes the child to see himself or herself as likable and important.
Abused children who have a good association with an adult are less likely to abuse as parents.8

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