what do you think drives a husband or wife to do this?

Question

A computer security consultant accused of killing his wife and three children in northern Illinois made his first court appearance Monday in this St. Louis suburb where he was arrested over the weekend. Christopher Vaughn had superficial gunshot wounds in the leg and arm, Glasgow said. His wife, Kimberly, 34, was shot once, while each of their children — Abigayle, 12; Cassandra, 11; and Blake, 8 — were all shot twice. His 9 mm handgun was found at the scene, authorities said.

Answer 1

First, you might take note that for every child a father has killed, mothers have killed eight. (U.S. Justice Dept. "Murder in Families")

Most often, we hear about how no one can understand what happened, the man was so happy, but in this case he was showing signs of mental problems for years, yet the help he was getting apparently was not enough. So the question to ask is “WHY”?

As men, we’re taught to hide our feelings. We’re told to fix our own problems and not ask for help. Than, when we do ask for help, we find an utter lack of positive outreach programs for us.

Of course, psychologists point to all the programs that are available, both in the private and public sectors, but where are they? Where are the commercials, the radio ads, the newspaper columns in a section dedicated to men?

The only advertising directed at men involves them being accused of domestic violence. There’s nothing directed at the men who simply are no feeling right about themselves and the world around them.

Many of us may also be victims of an abusive spouse. Look at the “data charts” being summarized on domestic violence studies against women and you find that men are the victims in 35% of the cases.

Having dealt with depression myself, as well as a suicide attempt in 1996, I know what it’s like to feel there’s no place to go. The programs I attended seemed more designed for women. Yes, women may try to commit suicide more often, but this would be different if men weren’t so good at it.

In past years, suicide rates for males and females remained the same for adolescent children, but in recent years young males have pulled ahead. After puberty, the rates go way up for teenage males. Is it any wonder that women complain about the shortage of available men?

Males simply kill themselves more often, whether from depression, or some other motive, such as grief or dishonor. Studies show that after a divorce, men kill themselves 13 times more often than women.

More needs to be done about male depression. Men need to be told that it happens to them and specific programs need to be developed for them. We should not be put into programs that are designed for women.

Advertising and outreach programs need to be produced to attract men and show them there is nothing unmanly about being depressed or seeking help.

Since men commit suicide more often than women, more money needs to be spent to meet their therapeutic needs. Our federal government could start by providing full funding for the Men's Health Act of 2001 and the Men’s Health Commission. There are over 100 fully funded Federal Women’s Health Commissions, yet not one funded for men.

Maybe society has come to think of men as expendable. Maybe it has come to believe that a depressed man is no longer an asset to society.

That’s what I thought, but I was wrong, and there are millions just like me.

For addition information on this subject please check: www.menshealthnetwork.org
Also want to support Men’s Health Week, June 11-17: www.menshealthweek.org

Answer 2

Sorry to hear another devastating incident. Most of the time when murders happen that involves the loss of children it's usually found out to be a family member. It's a sad affair and it's happening through out the country. I don't know what is going on. We need to pray as a family and as individuals one has to realize their emotional limits. Individuals should be able to say, "I need to get away" or "Let's talk something is wrong". Open communication and self love need to be encouraged through out the community. It's hard to detect mental problems within families until like most other situation something devastating happens. Education/ awareness has to be shared from all institutions ie schools, medical communities churches and neighbor's. It takes a caring heart.

Answer 3

its called mental illness and insanity. an individual has to be 'sick in the head' to take another human being's life.
i agree there is something that drives them to do this, but there is an underlying cause for it. a normal, level-headed person does not take the life of another and their own children?
these people have probably battled with and hidden an illness for years!

Answer 4

If you are currently a juror...you are breaking the law by telling us this. Did you know that?

to answer your question, there is no logical explaination for 1st degree murder except for insanity (mental illness, drugs, alcohol, etc.)

Answer 5

The one mistake these guys make , is that first before killing anyone , they should first put the barrel in their own mouths and pull the trigger


Cowardly bastards

Answer 6

Mental illness. Unless he's a sociopath like Scott Petersen....and that in itself is mental illness.

Answer 7

unknown what makes one shoot family members it is very sad, some might of been brought on by flash backs of wars other could be drinking or drugs, and the most stupid one is money, or a family fussing.

Answer 8

A severed conscience, coupled with hopelessness and selfishness.

Answer 9

Living a double life and no one suspected or knew about it.

Answer 10

Power and control.