Unfortunately, innocence works both ways. Children can be cute and gentle in one moment, or brutal and unthinking in the next, they don't choose either way, they don't know better. The question is, what do you do with the child?
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you, since the child was seven. It is a proven fact that children do not develop an actual conscience until the age of four, so at the age of seven, there is absolutely *no* excuse for this kind of behavior. Period.
As for what you do with the child, I don't rightly have a clue. . . :(
It's also a proven fact that human brains aren't fully capable of prime decision making until around 20. Hence, not charging minors as adults in certain situations. Biologically, the brain isn't "there" yet.
This kid IS probably f-ed beyond all reason but he's also young enough that if put in the proper environment he could easily live out a life completely free of this kind of horrible activity.
Hmm, Let me put in my two cents. When I read this article I was shocked and saddened by the news. But looking back, as a child growing up in an area surrounded by forest and swamp, I spent a lot of time catching critters. I was not always nice to them and a lot of them died as a result of what could be considered downright cruelty on my part. I can't really explain why I did those things but needless to say, I grew out of it. Take that for what it's worth.
I've never seen that stat but then I'm no psychologist.
I do know that children learn right from wrong based on what gets punished and rewarded. And if no one has told him that being cruel to animals is wrong (a stance which is by no means universal) then it's not his fault for thinking it's okay.
Well, they don't expect something that small to be breaking in. Normally the systems are made to detect an adult. Still, lousy security or a brilliant yet psychopathic child.
I do have to wonder what kind of "security fence" can be jumped over by a 7 year old.
Of course, if they mean "Climbed over with some effort", then he's just an unfortunately highly-motivated 7 year old.
There's a surprising amount of long-term planning being done by this little monster. And yes, I'm calling him a little monster. Young children can be extremely thoughtless (it's basically the definition of being "child-like") but there's the sort of casual cruelty of opportunity, and extensively premeditated and planned cruelty.
The latter is usually a warning sign of big big trouble down the road.
Kids catching frogs or squirrels for the thrill of catching them, and then squishing them by holding them too hard to stop them from escaping, or stuffing them in a box and forgetting about them, or something, is thoughtless.
Planning how to get in, getting in, and then spending a full half hour doing nothing but killing animals, is monstrous. Children of that age shouldn't be fantasizing about cruelty.
I've been there. It isn't so much a zoo as a small reptile house. House. Literally, it's in the middle of a set of houses and looks like someone converted their house to a reptile exhibit with some outdoor exhibits in the backyard. Alice Springs is a very small town, not really known for tourism, and the reptile house is small and quaint and probably low funded and more a labor of love than an actual zoo. (Apparently they now have a "fossil cave" as well, which wasn't there when we visited).
It is a damn shame what happened. I e-mailed the owner and offered to donate money, but have not heard back.
If you ever do go to Alice Springs, check out the reptile house. It has a rustic appeal. Also, do one of the morning balloon tours; they offer a spectacular view of the outback that totally makes up for getting up at way too early in the morning.
Good god - I'm surprised he didn't hit something poisonous and die... or, given that one of the thing he killed was a goanna, it might have just been too cold for the reptiles to fight back.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:05 pm (UTC)Ugh.
That's disgusting
Date: 2008-10-03 10:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:12 pm (UTC)Well, that would have taken care of the problem. Try harder next time, kid.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 01:02 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 04:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:14 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:16 pm (UTC)you're like a crazy-ass news wire service/violent political panel show...
Everforward!
-)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 10:44 pm (UTC)Unfortunately, innocence works both ways. Children can be cute and gentle in one moment, or brutal and unthinking in the next, they don't choose either way, they don't know better. The question is, what do you do with the child?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 01:33 am (UTC)As for what you do with the child, I don't rightly have a clue. . . :(
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 01:52 am (UTC)This kid IS probably f-ed beyond all reason but he's also young enough that if put in the proper environment he could easily live out a life completely free of this kind of horrible activity.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 06:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 08:35 am (UTC)Just because your conscience doesn't include a clause on cruelty to animas doesn't mean you lack a conscience?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 08:32 am (UTC)I do know that children learn right from wrong based on what gets punished and rewarded. And if no one has told him that being cruel to animals is wrong (a stance which is by no means universal) then it's not his fault for thinking it's okay.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 08:07 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-03 11:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 12:05 am (UTC)Basically, he broke in when the zoo was closed.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 12:15 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 12:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 12:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 01:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 11:25 pm (UTC)Of course, if they mean "Climbed over with some effort", then he's just an unfortunately highly-motivated 7 year old.
There's a surprising amount of long-term planning being done by this little monster. And yes, I'm calling him a little monster. Young children can be extremely thoughtless (it's basically the definition of being "child-like") but there's the sort of casual cruelty of opportunity, and extensively premeditated and planned cruelty.
The latter is usually a warning sign of big big trouble down the road.
Kids catching frogs or squirrels for the thrill of catching them, and then squishing them by holding them too hard to stop them from escaping, or stuffing them in a box and forgetting about them, or something, is thoughtless.
Planning how to get in, getting in, and then spending a full half hour doing nothing but killing animals, is monstrous. Children of that age shouldn't be fantasizing about cruelty.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 01:54 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 04:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 03:07 pm (UTC)It is a damn shame what happened. I e-mailed the owner and offered to donate money, but have not heard back.
If you ever do go to Alice Springs, check out the reptile house. It has a rustic appeal. Also, do one of the morning balloon tours; they offer a spectacular view of the outback that totally makes up for getting up at way too early in the morning.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-05 02:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-04 10:23 pm (UTC)