| The number of children who display extremely poor | | | | become aggressive and feel no remorse over forcing |
| anger management skills and a lack of impulse control | | | | their will on others. |
| is on the rise. Headlines about children murdering other | | | | Some young people turn to violence because they do |
| children, committing school shootings, and killing their | | | | not see other ways to endure what they're feeling at |
| parents have led some people to wonder if some | | | | that moment. They may not understand the |
| children just born bad. Or are these children merely | | | | consequences of violent behavior. |
| victims of a poor-quality home environment? Are they | | | | These tips may help if you think your child who is |
| a product of nature, nurture, or a combination of both? | | | | withdrawing or exploding too easily over everyday |
| There may be organic causes of brain dysfunction | | | | frustrations: |
| that precipitate children toward such aggressive, angry, | | | | - Look at your own anger management skills. Are you |
| and destructive behaviors. There is some evidence | | | | modeling good skills for children to imitate? |
| suggesting that excessive stress during pregnancy | | | | - Teach basic problem solving skills and anger |
| can cause a higher level of testosterone in hormonal | | | | management. When upsetting things happen, the child |
| bathing, producing a child who is chemically more prone | | | | who has practiced these skills will be more likely to |
| to anger and hostility. | | | | think through the consequences and ultimately be |
| Another possible reason for these tendencies could be | | | | better able to make nonviolent choices. |
| severe physical abuse leading to damage of the | | | | - Show confidence in his or her ability to develop good |
| frontal lobes of the brain, the area that helps control | | | | anger management skills, and model positive behaviors. |
| impulses and reactions. | | | | - Encourage the child to walk away from sources of |
| Children grow up angry when they experience family | | | | stress and spend some time doing activities he or she |
| aggression or those whose needs are neglected by | | | | enjoys. A change of scenery or activity can provide |
| their parents. They have the belief that no one cares | | | | distraction from the source of the anger. |
| about them. Excessive stress in their early lives may | | | | - Tell your child that everyone experiences anger, talk |
| cause changes in their brain chemistry. These abused | | | | about the last time you felt really angry, and share the |
| and/or neglected children grow up viewing others as | | | | positive ways to handle anger. |
| objects to be used. Their lack of early socialization | | | | If none of these approaches work, seek help. Talk to a |
| skills and bonding make them into uncaring adults who | | | | doctor or pediatrician. You may decide that your child |
| feel justified in hurting others. They see the aggressor | | | | and family need help learning positive anger |
| in the home as holding all the power, and they crave | | | | management skills from someone with professional |
| that power for themselves. This leads them to | | | | mental health training. |