Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children

Summary

As tragedies in Oregon, Arkansas, and Colorado have shown, children as young as eight years old are capable of murder and violence. Experts ranging from law enforcement officials to guidance counselors are confused and conflicted about how to approach this tragic phenomenon. Best-selling novelist Jonathan Kellerman returns to his roots as a scientist and child psychologist to dissect a problem that is attacking our society: dangerous children who, in all likelihood, will grow up to be dangerous adults. Kellerman explores the "nature v. nurture" theory, discusses the legal and psychological ramifications of treating such children as adult criminals, and tackles the assertion that violence in the media is to blame. More than a crash course in understanding the "hows" and "whys" of this issue, Savage Spawn is an enlightening study that will engender much-needed discussion.