Coffee Break # 89 The End of 2012

I agree. what is needed now is emotional support for the people left behind.

Victor's opinion isn't just a theory. There is award winning psychological research about effects of childhood viewing habits upon violence as an adult, in which I was fortunate enough to be part, and sometimes to get my name on the publications. The primary author testified before congress at the time the Vchip was approved.

In short, it is the viewing that happens between ages 8 and ten which seem to be most important. Why? Because that is when we are forming our ideas about how the world works and what agency we have to change it. News, and interestingly, among females in the 1960's, watching violent sports were among the most predictive, but so were violent fantasy TV shows. Movies don't have the same repeatable nature so they weren't studied. The largest longitudinal study was based largely in the Hudson River Valley public schools, but there was also research in Illinois and small international studies too.

Next most important as I recall, was the child's actual reports of exposure to violent hitting, kicking punching etc. Other very predictive factors included material that came from preliminary work from the Yale Child Guidance Center research about patterns of childhood fantasy. Not really surprisingly, the amount of upward mobility in a person's family and surrounding town was the fourth most predictive factor in childhood violence.

Then we did a study to mitigate the effect of these factors using a reverse engineering and social psychology approach. The study over a two year period using suburban Chicago school kids, and also an intercity population, was amazingly successful even in predicting classroom peer ratings of aggressive tendencies a year later. Although it has been frequently cited, I am not aware of any replications of the study. At conferences there is a lot of talk about effects of social media, but that's all Ive heard--talk.

This stuff takes patience over many years and a willingness to follow the data instead of political whims or easy fixes. It anyone remembers the attitudes in the 60's about violent television, and the way the country recoiled from assassinations, they will recall that there was some public support for the research, especially from the PTO.

Let me explain...you are correct, emotional support is the primary need now, however, money will be needed to cover funeral and burial costs including travel expenses for many-not all are being buried in CT. Subsequently the medical costs and Therapy bills that will follow will be enormous, overwhelming for some. Plus, I'm sure the town has blown it's yearly budget accommodating all the media and law enforcement personnel brought to the town via this tragedy. Yes, Ct. is a relatively wealthy state, but like everyone else, already reeling under budget cuts, and decreased services. And...most aren't wealthy to begin with. There are several funds now in place to help, you can send a card, and/or pray. I am off to church, and grateful to be able to do so today. All the best to all of you,
Janice

I agree with that article, I had to turn off the news, so many pictures of scared kids and crying adults over and over again. I had enough in my own imagination didn't need to see it blasted in my face.

We don't always know what goes on behind closed doors until something tragic happens, almost sad for the killer in a way, seems maybe he wasn't getting what needed mentally.
Aspergers isn't easy to handle but as parents we have a responsibility to our kids to keep them healthy both mentally and physically.

Volunteers from the Massachusetts Department of Mental health are headed to Connecticut to help with grief counseling. Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has a collection today. There are vigils and rallys all around Boston area.

This article came up on my Twitter feed and I thought it very timely.http://anarchistsoccermom.blogspot.com/2012/12/thinking-unthinkable.html

I just returned from church...I knew my pastor was from Newtown, didn't know Sandy Hook was his school, & that his Mom had worked there when he was a student...his Dad was a principal in Newtown....he was devastated of course, & also blamed the media for increasing, copycat violence....

I have always thought the violence they are seeing on tv, in movies and, especially, in video games where they are an active participant, play a big role, despite some reports saying some studies do not support it. And I agree most kids are not adversely affected, but troubled ones are - especially the loner, introspective types. It gives them an outlet and opportunity to feel bigger and more powerful.

Very true....and because he had social problems to begin with, things were just magnified in his mind....

Yes, I agree, Marilyn. We need to figure out a way to stop giving the next shooter this feeling that he will be immortalized and will get worldwide non-stop attention. However, we also need victims and families to be helped and not forgotten. I would start by never giving out the shooter's name or ID, but you KNOW the media will pursue that, and even sue to get it. And I think they would win on first amendment grounds. Not easy.

Please don't misunderstand my viewpoint. There are always current events that are triggers, and copycat violence is pretty clearly something that happens. However, not all people respond to violent media in the same way, and there is no school curriculum that I know about in most places that addresses responsible use of the media.

There is no easy solution....I would like to see guns that fall into the assault range of weapons banned...someone in the CT senate is reintroducing a bill to ban multiple- shot ammunition clips.....it's a start....

Just crossposted. I don't think first amendment rights should ever be touched.

I just saw the kids in church in their Christmas pageant costumes, just so cute, and many the same ages as those in Sandy Hook, and I just cried. I pray for an answer.

I've learned that the weapons used in Newtown had been grandfathered in and the mother was a gun collector. It's sort of like airport security. We get the illusion that we're more safe, and maybe sometimes we are, but only sometimes.

My late DH was a Marine & he trained FBI agents to shoot when he was stationed at Quantico...he had the utmost respect for guns...never hunted, although both his sons do....he always said assault weapons only belonged in the hands of those whose intent was to kill others....I have to go along with that.

I agree, however there would have to be a redefinition. These handguns, made by Europeans, are not 'assault weapons' and were legal when the ban was in effect. The only diff was that the clip was limited to 10 instead of 15. That would have made NO difference in this case. In fact, if the guy only had an old-fashioned type gun and had to reload more often he still would have done the same thing as along as he was in the classroom. NO ONE was there to stop him.

Rose - you don't think keeping the shooter's name and face from the 24/7 media would help?? I do.

Terrifyingly true and sad.

http://gawker.com/5968818/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother

Just read that the Oregon mall shooter killed himself after being confronted by a man who carried a concealed weapon. I am all for responsible, trained psychologically stable people carrying.

Me too, the only thing that will stop a gun is a gun.

Someone just called in a threat to a church in Newtown, saying 'I'm coming to kill.' Lowest of low.

The other thing I am thinking of - if this report is true that the mother was a survivalist, doomsday prepper type - did she instill this into this kid? If so, any influence on his thinking before this? Maybe even the upcoming Mayan date?? Also, kind of scary someone like that is a teacher.

Now they are saying all the killing was done with the high powered rifle, not the handguns.

And NO link between the mother and the school. She was NOT a teacher there.

What I posted about before:

http://gothamist.com/2012/12/16/newtown_church_evacuated_after_thre.php

Re: I am Adam Lanzas Mother - IMHO THIS is where we need to put our money. There are many, many, many of these children out there and only a few parents are able to even try and find solutions for them. Most don't have the resources to deal with a child that is trying to kill himself and/or his family and put them out on the street, compounding the problem.

I agree. And it goes beyond this issue. The overwhelming majority of homeless have mental illness. We began closing mental hospitals and just letting people out. Part of it was a legitimate reaction to documented abuses, but they went from one extreme to another. We should be building facilities for these people and change the law so it is much easier to commit them. Also - allow for forced implantation of drug delivery systems. So many do well when they take their meds. They just don't.

There have been so many inaccurate details.

Yes. One of the worst reported events I have seen.

I agree.....it started when Adam had his brother's ID in his possession...have no idea who thought his Mom was a teacher at Sandy Hook....That article about the woman with the mentally ill son is frightening....no mention of a Dad...Father was missing from shooter's life as well, but I've known mentally ill children with both parents...no guarantee...The shooter in Newtown had social problems in middle school......he never got the help he needed because, as so many articles in our paper today stated..."He was not a troublemaker".

Doomsday Prepper? I am but not to the fullest extent. I got seeds.

I have seeds too, and food processing equipment for canning.

Yes - same with my cousins. Both had fathers in their lives. And neither was a troublemaker. That's when family really has to push for help. It's just all so sad.

Now that there was no connection to the school for the mother, why did he have to go there? Makes me even angrier.

I know

Or the kids get into drug abuse, self medicate, and end up on the street.

We could all use some actual advice on what to look for as danger signs- But we can never be truly ready to deal with something such a rare part of our everyday encounters.

We have people at the library who seem mild to somewhat disturbed, or on drugs. Part of you wants to extend human kindness but more of you figures you better keep the distance, out of fear for personal safety. The police know very well about these local 'characters'.

How can you have guarantees on personal freedom AND take someone out of society who 'might not' be stable?

LAst night DH and DS and I talked at length about school security. The police dept and school board will use this to justify more $$. What if we have a police officer every day in every school? His presence won't guarantee anything, just make us feel better and perhaps make it less likely. Like TSA. And these officers will have practically nothing to do every single day.

Heard something today about keeping outdoor XMas lights on all night in memory..

And the poor funeral home staff in that area....

Yes, I heard funeral directors all over are offering to help.

So nice.

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/national/northeast/2012/12/dogs_arrive_newtown_comfort_survivors

Very nice.

I'd love to train therapeutic dogs. I've been to some suicide prevention trainings where half the participants were pooches.