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Childhood. An essential stage in the development of character. A period in time that molds individuals into who they are today. A phase in which these impressionable children rely entirely on those around them to teach them right from wrong, and what is acceptable in today's world. Parents. Guardians of these venerable future members of society, tasked with the important job of guiding them through life, and protecting them from any danger that comes their way... But what happens if they neglect this fundamental duty? What happens if the danger they were originally supposed to be protecting them from instead manifests within them? It is a well-known fact that childhood is a unique time for the brain to absorb and develop new ideas from the environment that surrounds them. However, without a safe environment for children to grow and learn, children’s minds may not mature to their full potential. When those who are supposed to protect them do not, it is common for children to become confused on the perception of right and wrong, as children tend to mimic their parents. The primal stage of learning is copying. It is on the basis of copying that we learn to communicate. Babies learn how to talk by imitating the noises from those around them. We can assume that the same practice applies to morals and behaviour. So, what happens if the behaviour displayed in a household is not love and support, but one of abuse and torment? How will this innocent imitation translate to morals as an adult? The National Institute of health website records that 62% of serial killers have reported suffering from some form of abuse. It is likely that a criminal who suffered from a certain type of abuse whilst young would go on to commit crimes similar to that of their own abuse suffered, but, on a larger scale. Take, for example, the case of John Wayne Gacy, infamously known as the ‘killer clown’ who was convicted of the rape and murder of 33 young men and boys. Although I am not defending his actions whatsoever, it may be useful to investigate his childhood to try and find the source of this sudden switch in his actions. At age seven, a family friend of his began to occasionally molest him, which may be the answer to his thinking that such actions were acceptable, especially due to this disgusting crime coming from someone of authority, someone his family trusted. Applying the theory of children absorbing and releasing the actions from those around them, we can start to see the unfortunate cycle begin again. It is not just serial killers who this hypothesis belongs to. These statistics could also apply to those who go on to become abusers themselves. We should ask ourselves why that is and reflect on ways to remedy this fault. However, some may believe that childhood has nothing to do with the perception of morality at all, and that it is simply human instincts, or common sense, to do what is right. Once we grow older, it is through knowledge that we alter our beliefs and ideas as we grow and become more exposed to things around us, such as religion. Religions have big focuses on morality, and doing what is right. For example, in Christianity, the 10 commandments, and Islam’s 5 pillars. Religion can offer a new viewpoint to the ideas of morality. Although some of these points are valid, i believe that what you were surrounded with since you were young, and what you were taught to follow will always impact you, as your brain has been conditioned to accept those instances. For example, if you grew up in an abusive household, you may believe that it is normal for other guardians to treat their children in this manner. Regardless of age, environment plays a significant role in the way you view what is right and wrong. For example, if a child were to grow up in an environment where drug use was normal, the child may grow up to abuse substances due to the normalisation to drugs and lack of exposure to how the world is run. And as for the religious argument, the Bible itself discusses the problem of ‘bad company and how the people you spend time with can influence you in the quote ‘Bad company ruins good morals’ - Corinthians chapter 15 verse 33. Another factor that may impact an individual’s idea of morality and remorse is parenting styles, specifically ‘permissive parenting’, in which parents do not establish themselves as an authority figure, and do not set rules for their children. This usually results in misbehavior, as well as lack of consequences. This will impact the child negatively because morality requires understanding of consequences. Heteronomous morality occurs from ages 5-9, which is when they learn that ‘bad’ behaviors receive punishment, leading to more obedience to rules and laws set by the authority figures in their lives. Without this understanding, the products of this parenting style will be set back in the ideas of obedience and consequences, as they did not receive them whilst young. Constantly validating any behavior shown from children and causing them to believe that they can never do anything wrong will result in a lack of remorse as an adult. In conclusion, I believe that relationships can alter someone’s morality as they grow older but the experiences that people have whilst young play a crucial role in the development of the brain. Childhood lays down the foundations for one’s development in life, and we only get one chance to be a child. So, i believe that we should nurture the future generation properly and set a good example for these young children, so that we may ensure a safer world for everybody, and to liberate ourselves from this cycle of mistreatment.