My Unqualified Opinion of Some Possible "Whys" Behind the Insanity of Child Murderers

First of all, let me say that I am by NO MEANS any kind of expert as I merely possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Nor am I a prude or religious zealot, pacifist or bleeding heart Liberal. I am simply the [i]fairly[/i] intelligent mother of two children (ages 9 and 13) and someone who has carefully paid attention to the changes in our society for the past two decades (which means I was 20 yrs old when I began to notice and become concerned about the changes I am talking about). Normally I don't share my opinions on such matters because I detest discussing controversial topics with people who do so for the mere love of appearing superior as a result of the argument or the thrill of winning the 'fight' and 'one-upping' someone more than actually learning something or sharing something communication-wise with another; which seems to occur often when broaching such controversial subjects. However, I am going to break my own rule regarding this topic because (at least the appearance) of the increasing insane crime wave of such young children and teenagers is really bugging the shit out of me!
I've had a theory for many years that the increasingly constant barrage of sexuality in advertising, magazines, marketing of products and more recently[i]even cartoons[/i] is consciously and more importantly - subconsciously - causing children to grow up much faster by inundating and focusing them on such things much earlier than the older generations - [b]clearly to their detriment[/b]. I've also thought the same about the ever-increasing violence in movies - who hasn't joked about "the body count" in a Schwarzenegger (sic?) or Stallone film? The intensity and frequency of violence and sexuality has crept up on us so slowly since approximately the early 80's, that what used to be considered outrageous is now considered "no big deal".
Additionally, although I hate to admit it because I love music more than any non-human 'entity' in this world, I think it has had a tremendous impact on the psyche of children and teenagers. Look at the lists of favorite artists in the MySpace profiles of the majority of the kids we're reading about in the news and they are filled with such artists as: Cradle of Filth, (WTF?!), Dying Fetus (Ditto!), Devildriver, Hatebreed, Demon Hunter, Murder Dolls, Twiztid ShitMy Life with the Thrill Kill Cult - just to name a few. Admittedly I haven't taken the time to look up each of these groups to check out their lyrics and music - but guess what?! - I don't want to bother because the names of such groups tell me enough information that I am pretty sure I would not be interested in subjecting myself to such - UNLESS I knew one of my kids was listening to them. That would give me the motivation to 'go there'; otherwise I am going to take it for granted that those groups have picked such names to reflect their music. I'm willing to bet big bucks that if you took anyone of any age and made them listen to these groups for a minimum of 8 hours per day that you could document a significant change in their psyche and attitude. Attitude change being a key concept behind my entire hypothesis, by the way.
In addition, we have what is supposed to be the most reliable and trustworthy sources of information currently called the MSM which translates into our homes as our local and world newscasts. How often do you see human interest stories on POSITIVE subjects? The lead stories are always the attention-grabbing gore-filled accidents, rape, horrifying murders, arson, theft, beatings, war, and etc. The ONLY newspaper I know of (which isn't saying much) that attempts (and IMO succeeds) in covering a well-balanced representation of both the positive and negative happenings in their region - is an obscure little weekly publication that my 94-yr-old grandfather still subscribes to from Eastern KY, (where he and my aunts and uncles were born), called [url=http://www.troublesomecreektimes.com/pages/front/]The Troublesome Creek Times[/url].
For the more cynical, the TCT may seem a bit 'hokey' and the occasional spelling errors 'get on my nerves' ever-so-slightly, (but that's [i]my[/i] OCD pet peeve). [b]As I was reading this paper a couple of days ago[/b] while waiting for my grandfather (whom I've been helping take care of) to finish eating dinner; [b]it occurred to me that this 'little' publication actually had something 'BIG' going for it because not only does it spotlight the usual macro happenings of a community such as births, deaths, marriages and accidents and the occasional murder; it reflects the micro - the achievements and goals, struggles and triumphs of its members as they work together to survive in and better their community.[/b]
Then last but certainly not least by any means, there is the ability of young people to access anything at any time - according to the rules in their homes and the access they may have outside of the latter. Look at girls such as **** and ****. These girls have both been described by friends and teachers as "nice", "sweet", "normal" young ladies. The missing link and the door that opened both of them to the outside influence that ended up taking them down was their use and choice of contacts via text messaging and the Internet. Both were able to stay in touch with the males they had been forbidden to be in contact with and both managed to circumvent their parents best efforts with at least one of these mediums. God knows I AM NOT SAYING THE INTERNET IS THE DEVIL - LOL! I am as big a junkie as you can be! I am just pointing out that there are so many different ways for young people to be barraged with negative influences in these modern times that if you have a kid who already has a predisposition or attraction to negative people and/or influences - it is MUCH easier for them to succeed in gaining access to whatever influence they choose because of today's technologies.
What does this have to do with 12-yr-olds blowing away their parents or setting strangers on fire for the hell of it? I think that along with the increase in divorce, which has made for broken homes and tough situations for children; the loss of extended families, which used to allow for a more supportive environment for parents and children, to a more nuclear and isolated state of living; in addition to the increasing violence in our society and the increase of the portrayal of that violence, along with the over-sexualized marketing of products of all types that inundates every communication medium today, that it’s all too easy for the predisposed - AS WELL AS THE “GOOD” KIDS FROM HEALTHY BACKGROUNDS to get sucked in to a whirlpool of negative activities with sometimes irreversible consequences.
But that’s just me.

An All-Too-Familiar Tragedy

On March 29, 2006, 40 yr old Linda Woo took her two children, ages 3 & 4 into their garage. She may have told them they were going on a picnic as there were blankets for the children to lie on in the Subaru Forrester, along with a barbecue grill in the back of the car. The press accounts differ somewhat, some say the grill was lit and the car was running when a friend stopped by to check on Linda and the children; some say it was the police and fire department that found them after being called for a well-being check possibly by the husband. I'm sure all of the details will be revealed in the coming days. One detail that's for sure is that 3 yr old Olive Murphy died at the scene. Her brother was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and Linda was taken to the hospital and charged with murder and attempted murder by the next day, then placed in the jail ward of a different hospital.The tragedy of this situation is breathtaking and actually quite terrifying because by all accounts, Linda and Gavin Murphy were 'normal' people who had a 'normal' marriage and two beautiful children - like so many of us. Unfortunately, like so many of us, they ended up separating - which is a devastating event. I am guessing - and God knows I have no idea what really happened here - that Linda Woo got really depressed after her husband left and instead of going to divorce recovery, talking to her friends or going to counseling, she let it all simmer and boil inside. Maybe that led to further mental disorder, which finally brought her to a place she couldn't have imagined in 2004, the last time I can find her name is listed in a community organization. I'll confess I have walked in very similar shoes and it was a walking nightmare; however, I was lucky enough (There but for the grace of God go I) to think of my children as a reason to LIVE and keep on striving through all of the horrendous situations instead of finally giving up or giving in to my desires to stop the constant emotional/mental/physical pain by ending it all.She and her husband appeared to be very conscientious people as I think is illustrated by their listing as individual contributors to IDEX :http://tinyurl.com/meskw (PG. 24)International Development Exchange (IDEX) is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that partners with grassroots organizations in six countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, while actively engaging and educating the U.S. public in the challenges facing communities in these regions. Since 1985, IDEX has channeled over $2.8 million to fund more than 500 self-help community projects working for social change and economic independence for people, particularly women, indigenous peoples and youth, who earn less than $1 a day.Linda Woo held a job with a high level of responsibilities. Her former job as Principal Project Manager for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was submitted on Monster.com as of April 7th. http://tinyurl.com/ecq53 I was amazed by the amount of responsibility Linda Woo had with THIS job. She was obviously capable of 'keeping' it together before her life took a turn around one of those dark corners.Also, as Steve Huff http://huffcrimeblog.com/ has discussed in his excellent crime blog along with numerous other aspects and important facts in this case, she was active in sports and was even the chair for her GAA club:LINDA WOO - CHAIR 370 MONCADA WAY SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127 www.irishabroad.com/Sports/GAA/Clubs/Usgaa.asp www.online.ie/Sport/GAAClubs/NorthAmerica/How does someone who is so active in their community get from here to there??? I truly think my first guess is pretty close to the truth of what happened to her. Unfortunately and tragically, now she has destroyed the lives of all of those close to her as a result of her probable emotional and mental derailment. I so wish it could have been different.