I disagree both because of the context and what the grandfather said. This was neither a fear response nor was it, because of being at a public zoo, a place where ordinary bored boy viciousness would be done.
This was a premeditated act, in front of witnesses, and with “callous indifference” to what anybody thought. And because of his grandfather’s comment, I suspect that this boy is a psychopath, and a dangerous one.
The vast majority of psychopaths are not generally dangerous, based on their level of self-control. They are incapable of sympathizing or empathizing with other people, but they can rationally determine that certain behaviors or actions are not acceptable, and choose to refrain from doing them.
However, a dangerous psychopath also has little or no impulse control and cannot distinguish differences or degrees in context for their actions.
If they see a woman wearing a hat they don’t like, they will snatch it from her head and destroy it on the spot, not caring what her response is, if they are by themselves or in a crowd of people staring at them, or if they are in the middle of a church service or standing in front of a policeman.
Importantly, this may or may not carry over to their actions after their impulse. They may automatically deny having done what they just did, or they may accuse someone else of having made them do it, or any number of behaviors.
In the final analysis, this boy needs to be examined, and carefully. He may be one of the few who are so aberrant that they need to be institutionalized for life, being a clear and present danger to others.
You never watched the little rascals when you were growing up did you? Sounds to me like your the one who needs to be checked out.
Brilliantly put.
Thought provoking post. Might very well be more truth than poetry to it.
I agree that something is not right there. And yes, boys can do destructive things and withing limits, it does not mean much. And I abhor the feminization of boys, where boys are expected to never be agressive or even assertive. But this child seems to be out of control and it seems like the adults in his life shield him from the consequences of his actions. I think this is dangerous. This boy could be getting more and more cruel and violent and the adults are sending him the message that he is entitled to do anything he wants, that there are no real consequences.
That's a pretty deep analysis based upon an article which may or may not be accurate with the few vague details reported.
Great post!!