I have always been fascinated by the operations of the human brain, which is why I decided to study Psychology. When I was living in South Africa my major was law, and my minor was Criminology. Having this background and being able to see the difference in America has truly expanded my interest how the mind of a serial killer works.
Who would ever guess that the baby born mere seconds ago would grow up to become a serial killer? Did Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents know that he would grow up to cut people into pieces? How about Ted Bundy? Could his parents ever suspect that the precious baby boy would become one of the most feared and hunted men in America? No, I do not believe that as babies any parent can predict what the future would hold …show more content…
According to history, one common factor which all serial killers had in common was that they grew up in abusive homes. For example, Henry Lee was abused by his mother who was a prostitute. Viola Lucas forced her son to dress as a girl entertained her customers in front of him and prostituted him to her clients. He even slipped into a coma after a brutal beating. Ted Bundy’s mother was also prostitute and like Viola she entertained her customers in front of her son. Charles Manson was also the son of a prostitute and was abused constantly. John Wayne Gacy, DeSalvo and Arthur Shawcross were also several abusive and raised in violent homes. There are a great deal more serial killers who had a harsh upbringing.
This leads me to believe that nature and nurture have equal parts in what “creates” a serial killer. According to the FBI serial killers are not dysfunctional loners, as is widely believed by society. Serial killers hide in plain sight, nearly all of them have families and friends and are employed living regular lives as part of society. Robert Yates who killed seventeen prostitutes was a husband and father of five. The BTK killer, a father of two, a husband and yet he killed ten victims all while being a Boy Scout leader and served in the U.S. Air
Who would ever guess that the baby born mere seconds ago would grow up to become a serial killer? Did Jeffrey Dahmer’s parents know that he would grow up to cut people into pieces? How about Ted Bundy? Could his parents ever suspect that the precious baby boy would become one of the most feared and hunted men in America? No, I do not believe that as babies any parent can predict what the future would hold …show more content…
According to history, one common factor which all serial killers had in common was that they grew up in abusive homes. For example, Henry Lee was abused by his mother who was a prostitute. Viola Lucas forced her son to dress as a girl entertained her customers in front of him and prostituted him to her clients. He even slipped into a coma after a brutal beating. Ted Bundy’s mother was also prostitute and like Viola she entertained her customers in front of her son. Charles Manson was also the son of a prostitute and was abused constantly. John Wayne Gacy, DeSalvo and Arthur Shawcross were also several abusive and raised in violent homes. There are a great deal more serial killers who had a harsh upbringing.
This leads me to believe that nature and nurture have equal parts in what “creates” a serial killer. According to the FBI serial killers are not dysfunctional loners, as is widely believed by society. Serial killers hide in plain sight, nearly all of them have families and friends and are employed living regular lives as part of society. Robert Yates who killed seventeen prostitutes was a husband and father of five. The BTK killer, a father of two, a husband and yet he killed ten victims all while being a Boy Scout leader and served in the U.S. Air