Deep-rooted culture of violence must be addressed - Global Times

 

The tragic mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School raises once again the issue of security in US schools. Politicians are quick to take advantage of such tragedies with some arguing for more gun control and others arguing for less. But rarely is public debate in the US focused on the root causes of such criminal action.

A culture of violence permeates the US. This culture is influenced by the violent video game industry, the film and music industry, cults, and the Internet. Worryingly, it leads to psychological conditions of desensitization and depersonalization in some susceptible individuals. Thus, they live in a violent virtual world in their minds and restraints against violent behavior are removed.

The suspect in the Connecticut case has been identified as Adam Lanza. He murdered his mother at home and then he went to murder students and staff. Reportedly, he carried two pistols and one rifle, and was wearing a bullet proof vest. The crimes he committed appear to have been premeditated and carefully planned in advance. There appears to have been no metal detector in place to screen school visitors. 

All societies have a certain percentage of persons that falls into the criminal category. That is why societies have police in order to protect themselves from these anti-social deviants. Police science studies criminal behavior and, of course, criminal psychology is one significant area of research.

A few details have emerged about the shooter's mental condition. The fact that he first murdered his mother, then murdered students and staff, and committed suicide indicates a psychologically deranged person. In similar mass murder cases involving schools, the shooters after investigation were found to have been deeply involved in drug and violence subcultures. In the US, as with similar cases in Europe, narcotics, violent video games, Internet, cults, and violence-oriented music and entertainment seem to play a role in some types of criminal behavior whether targeting schools or not. 

The notorious 1999 Columbine, Colorado high school massacre involved these elements, as well as improvised explosive devices, various investigators and analysts said. The team of shooters was able to obtain guns clandestinely by having a friend purchase them thus evading gun control laws.

Although Lanza's motive is not yet known, police say they have information which may clarify this. The shooter is reported to have used guns belonging to his mother. His mother collected expensive hand guns and rifles and is said to have taken her children to target shooting practice. Some reports say that the shooter suffered from a mental syndrome. Some who knew him personally have said that for a long time he appeared deeply troubled mentally and that he was a withdrawn quiet person but was active in playing video games. 

The US Secret Service back in 2002 did a pioneering study of 37 cases of school violence. The Secret Service reached a number of conclusions from their investigation. They said that such incidents are almost always premeditated and that prior to an attack some persons knew of the plan. 

The study showed that most attackers exhibited behavior prior to the attack which gave some people cause for concern. Attackers also seemed to have exhibited suicidal tendencies prior to the attacks. In a number of cases, attackers had help from fellow students.

The study also showed that while law enforcement can respond to such attacks rapidly, they generally stop by other means such as the attackers committing suicide. The Connecticut case seems consistent with key points in the Secret Service report.

It seems reasonable that such incidents have deep root causes which impact on the attackers' psychology. This criminal psychology then leads them to plan and to undertake violent crimes such as mass murder.

Clearly, US public school systems must not be lax on security and must urgently undertake serious efforts across the US to protect their students and staff from criminals. The US also must face up to the social factors and root causes of its "culture of violence."



The author is an educator and former senior professional staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

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