[johnny7]

Kids hear all kinds of weird stuff at a young age.

...and some of them continue this behavior into adulthood.

I used to hang around with a kid that would do all kinds of crazy sh_t to get attention. On Christmas day he got a 10-speed English bicycle from his parents... and rode it into a pond. One time, I caught him tightening a belt around his neck behind his garage... he said it was 'cool' cause he almost passed-out doing it.

A few years ago, I heard that he died of a heroin overdose at 48.

[bill1952]

Heroin overdose at 48.

Sadly, you are entirely correct.
Such behavior is not always outgrown.

Perhaps it is never "outgrown," but rather diverted or channeled into a more productive activity.

Some never do.