School shootings have in past few decade become topical all
over the world. As an example, just this spring there was a school shooting in Orivesi
in Finland (luckily no one didn't get killed) althought the shooter weren't a
real school shooter as doctor Peter Langman defines them. Langman's definition
in his book Why Kids Kill. Inside the Minds of School Shooters contains
only shooters who have a clear connection to the school they're attacking (in
the real world this means they're or have studied there).
Langman has acquainted
himself to the possible school shooters in his job as a children's
psychologist. He have also gotten to know the school shooters who have bring
off their cruel aim. Langman has divided ten American shooter to three
different category: psychopathic, psychotic and traumatized shooters. He also
introduce some of the patients he has had who may would have attacted their
schools.
The topic is hot and
interesting and text has been popularized. Some times maybe even a bit too
much. The categorizing seems slightly artificial, especially with such complex
thing as this. Langman himself admit there isn't one pattern how someone become
a school shooter or an easy way to identify a possible one. That is why the
society should invest in supporting youngsters.
Peter Langman's book
is for people who are interested in the subject, but don't want a too
scientific description.
Mark: 7-
