Shootings in the U.S
It definitely seems to be the case that most, if not all, of the people responsible for mass shootings in the U.S are young men. Inevitably people always question "why" and "how" and try to devise of ways to stop it, with the most common suggestion being stricter gun laws. I can see some merit in that, but I don't think it is the answer. The first things that come to my mind when I think of this issue are the variables involved, of which there are many. I think of the people who have committed these shootings and what personally lead them to do that. It is impossible not to notice the patterns and commonalities which almost always seem to be present.
The most significant components seem to be an overwhelming dissatisfaction with everything and complete disdain for the rest of society.
These individuals have *probably* been bullied throughout their middle and high school years, or have at the very least been social outcasts. They may lack a good network of people to set them on the right path, or don't feel that they can tell anyone about their problems and even harbor feelings of animosity toward those closest to them. It seems they don't seek out proper relations with people, or don't utilize the relationships they do have to become better and more balanced individuals. In addition, they lack direction in life and likely don't have any ambitions or plans for their future. They have clearly come to see other people as worthless, and life as meaningless.
Also, from what I have read, the use of SSRI medication on adolescents seems to come with a risk of psychosis and can lead to violent behaviours.
I don't think there is an easy answer, and some of the things that I think would help contradict other ideas that I have about society and how kids should be able to function in school life. I have contemplated that kids should be encouraged to be more open and inclusive toward peers that don't necessarily fit in. However, this idea is impractical and I think that in many ways, the sooner we adjust to not always fitting in and being "liked" the better. Ultimately, these things can and should be used to make you a stronger and more resilient person. You shouldn't try to be liked by everyone and even if you're not friends with many (or perhaps any) people, you should persevere and focus on the things that you enjoy and that you want to do with your life. At the same time though, we should want to seek out relations with people we want to get to know more and feel we have something in common with. The way these young men could help themselves would be by trying to relate to other people and looking at the world around them, instead of focusing almost entirely on themselves and the way they feel. It's great to look inside oneself and to consider one's wishes when it is a matter of positive growth and development, but continually feeling sorry for yourself and blaming other people is a horrible and deeply unhelpful trait. These shooters seem to possess all the worst characteristics of teenage and adolescent angst and have manifested them in the most destructive and deadly way.
The most significant components seem to be an overwhelming dissatisfaction with everything and complete disdain for the rest of society.
These individuals have *probably* been bullied throughout their middle and high school years, or have at the very least been social outcasts. They may lack a good network of people to set them on the right path, or don't feel that they can tell anyone about their problems and even harbor feelings of animosity toward those closest to them. It seems they don't seek out proper relations with people, or don't utilize the relationships they do have to become better and more balanced individuals. In addition, they lack direction in life and likely don't have any ambitions or plans for their future. They have clearly come to see other people as worthless, and life as meaningless.
Also, from what I have read, the use of SSRI medication on adolescents seems to come with a risk of psychosis and can lead to violent behaviours.
I don't think there is an easy answer, and some of the things that I think would help contradict other ideas that I have about society and how kids should be able to function in school life. I have contemplated that kids should be encouraged to be more open and inclusive toward peers that don't necessarily fit in. However, this idea is impractical and I think that in many ways, the sooner we adjust to not always fitting in and being "liked" the better. Ultimately, these things can and should be used to make you a stronger and more resilient person. You shouldn't try to be liked by everyone and even if you're not friends with many (or perhaps any) people, you should persevere and focus on the things that you enjoy and that you want to do with your life. At the same time though, we should want to seek out relations with people we want to get to know more and feel we have something in common with. The way these young men could help themselves would be by trying to relate to other people and looking at the world around them, instead of focusing almost entirely on themselves and the way they feel. It's great to look inside oneself and to consider one's wishes when it is a matter of positive growth and development, but continually feeling sorry for yourself and blaming other people is a horrible and deeply unhelpful trait. These shooters seem to possess all the worst characteristics of teenage and adolescent angst and have manifested them in the most destructive and deadly way.
