Many seem to feel this way, including me. I am even more disgusted and angry and sad when a child is a victim of a violent/sexual crime, than when an adult is a victim of the same. But if you think about this, everyone should be equally precious. An adult victim is innocent as well as a child victim. Hence, why do we weigh a crime harder when the victim a minor, especially young child?
2007-08-25 04:21:48 · 10 answers · asked by Mien 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I think there are two reasons. First, I think - for better or worse - we all identify with things that are common to our own experiences. We were all kids once and got bullied or falsely accused of something and that sense of betrayal or unfairness about that situation is something we never quite let ago of as much as injustices later heaped on us in life so I think we relate to it more and get more personal about it. I think, unfortunately, it is also why we seem to react less to the fact that an elderly person is being abused relative to a kid in the same situation. Second, I think - whether its true or not - we tend to think that there is "more to the story" when a crime involves two adults. Maybe we think that to fell safer ourselves - we think "maybe they were both drug dealers" and if I am not a drug dealer I will not be vulnerable to that situation. I think it's a portrait of our own inner feelings more than just the "vulnerability" of kids (b/c we don't feel the same way about handicapped or elderly folks). I also think parental instincts kick in and contribute to it.
2007-08-25 04:58:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is my take on the situation and I've believed this for many many many years.
Yes, an adult victim is as innocent as a child victim but when I hear of a baby or a child being murdered; I wish I could trade places because I've lived so much longer whereas that youngster didn't have a chance to do anything.
2007-08-25 11:31:52 · answer #2 · answered by Merilee L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the child has absolutely NO defense against a grown person (especially a grown male) An adult can at least defend themselves. You're just low if you kill a child who can't defend themselves. It's not right to kill anyone, but a killing a child is despicable.
2007-08-25 11:32:57 · answer #3 · answered by Mako 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it comes down to being like a fight. Most want to see a "fair" fight. When a child is hurt by an adult, there is no fairness. At least an adult has physical and mental defenses that may help whereas a child is helpless.
2007-08-25 11:35:35 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is totally true, except a child can't fight back. The innocent factor comes into play also.Children are considered pure and innocent, thus making the crime seem more horrific.
2007-08-25 11:32:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably because "we" feel that a child has less of a chance defending him/herself from an attacker than an adult would. Not that this is always the case, but I think it's the general consensus.
2007-08-25 11:31:38 · answer #6 · answered by Just tryin' to help 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is because.. a child is truly innocent and fragile and basically defenseless. Pure, free of major wrong doing. And will be traumatized for the remainder of their lives ( if they have one) because of another person's actions. I think there is a special place in hell for people who victimize children.
2007-08-25 11:37:37 · answer #7 · answered by LawComm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A child has no way of defending itself.
2007-08-25 11:30:12 · answer #8 · answered by terje_treff 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A child is defenseless.
2007-08-25 11:54:23 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't and I don't.
2007-08-25 12:27:47 · answer #10 · answered by gunplumber_462 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋