In his overview of "dangerous corners" in child development (Volume
12, Chapter 4, of "The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler"),
Adler warns us about the corrosive psychological influences of
parental pampering and neglect, but he also emphasizes three social
influences that seriously inhibit the development of social interest
in children as well as adults: war, capital punishment, and racial
prejudice. The media may focus on gun control, mental illness of
killers, or violent video games, but little attention is paid to the
daily impact of killing for imperial purpose. Given the appropriate
political or legal justification, murder can be framed as heroic or
justified punishment. Do we know or care how a young child digests
the impression that it is OK for the state to take another's life?
Surely, this does not foster an increase in the feeling of community
and an interest in the welfare of all of mankind. Our actions may
suggest to children that it is acceptable to destroy any designated
enemy.