No, not on their own. And it's not the blended family that bothers me. It's the vitriolic nature of the custody issues. A boatload of anger in that home. And remember, I said "may have" contributed to the murder.
You know, in my family law practice, I have seen a few children literally driven mad - into the mental hospital - as a result of the battling and alienation on the part of their parents. You have to see it to believe it I guess, but this kind of anger can cause irreparable harm to kids. These kids are filled with such pressure and conflicting emotions and confusion, it is horrible.
I think some people just believe that the only reason a kid would commit such a revolting murder is due to pure evil on his part and nothing else. That could be true in this case but at this age, there could be other contributing factors as well, IMO. I don't think we can so easily ignore what was happening in these kids' environment. And it's clear there was a lot happening.
I believe it, because I've seen it.
I have a cousin in a similar situation... with a disturbed child.
He wasn't always a "disturbed child." I used to babysit the kid.
Before the divorce he was a rather normal child. A sweetheart really.
After the bitter divorce and custody battle he ended up with Dad
(who had more money and the better lawyer.)
Dad didn't directly talk to him about Mom, but he overheard things:
"My ex wife is such an evil witch."
"My ex wife is a heartless witch."
"My ex wife is so worthless, what a waste of air."
"My kid is trying to drive me insane acting like his mother."
"My kid is just like his mother."
He slowly started turning more and more into his mother.
(Who for the record is not heartless witch at all...)
People don't realize that some kids see themselves as an EXTENSION of their parents.
If you call their parents worthless, or useless, or evil... they will see themselves that way too. :twocents:
This kid has turned violent now. He lashed out at his younger sister... who is "just like Dad."
"Dad said that I was just like Mom... worthless, heartless, a waste of air. I must be."
Some kids internalize pain... and hurt themselves. Other kids lash out at other people. :twocents:
Kids are all different. Some actually have healthy outlets.
But those who don't, don't always lash out at OTHER people.:twocents:
