Why do you think it is so easy for some children to be mean?

all children are fascists until they learn not to be. By nature children are attention seeking despots who only stop being so as a result of good parenting and both primary and secondery socialisation. When any of these factors are missing we see the child in the raw, as they truely are, without the niceties that the venere of civilisation provides. Saddening stuff indeed

I think how they are raised is some part of it. But I have noticed the past couple of years, you can have a couple perfectly raised children with great manners, and then a sibling to them that is as mean as can be. So I don't know, I think alot of behavior issues are learned from others at school anymore.

Mistreated, I don't think that mistreated is the case with most. I think it is that parents aren't there to disipline the children. It is being left up to daycares and babysitters. Parents are having to work to make ends meet and the jobs are scarce and they have to take whatever hours are given to them, so they are not home with them as much as should be. Others, just don't care and let their kids run. A few may have behavior problems due to a disability that you can't see. Just my opinion. We need more family time, and need to spend time listening to our children and show them we love them.

It always upsets me when my girls come home and tell me about the way some kids act at school. It definitely does make you wonder why they would act that way! Most of them are bullies and they just seem to get a kick out of belittling other kids. But why? Sometimes I think it's because they are belittled at home, so they need to feel superior at school. I can remember I had a new boss once who was very strict and mean. He was a young guy, but he just came across as arrogant and a "know it all" at work. Everyone hated him. We had never met his wife, but he talked about her all the time. Finally we met her at a Christmas party. She was a complete B****! She belitted him in front of all of us, was constantly putting him down and he just stood there and took it!!! He never said a word against her. After they left, we all started talking about how mean she was and came to the conclusion that he was mean to us because she wore the pants in their family and the only place he could rule was at work. I think that may be the same situation with many kids.

I happen to believe that's how their parents raised them. I have a very good friend who I grew up with. She has a daughter who is her oldest kid. This kid is really mean and always gets her way, and she doesn't seem to care to discipline her. When I bring my kid along, she loves to hurt my kid even if I'm around. So my kid doesn't like to play with her and plays with other kids instead. Then this kid would come to me trying to tell my kid on me. Oh well, I'm glad she's not my kid. I would never tolerate my kids, I let them know I'm the boss and my rules will always have to be followed, at least I only care about how they grow up in this place.

No kid is born with such qualities which makes us sad as a parent.. It is the way they were brought up ( I did not mean to blame you friend...) and the environment in which they grow all have their effects on them....But still they can be groomed not by force but by pure affection.

I think children can be so mean is because their parents did talk to them about the importance of being nice to people or have a talk about proper manners. It can also have to do with other kids being mean to them so they think it is okay for them to be mean to other people. Kids used to be mean to me and my brother and sister when we were younger and it was difficult growing up as a child. By being mean to others, they think that they are cool and feel good about themselves and want people to like them because of it. I think parents should have more talks with their kids about being polite to others.

Childeren are a reflection of the home...period.If they act like a$$es,,,then I'm sure the parent's do too.I'm a proud parent of one.A little boy who respect's his father.and eveyone else.Don't hit unless you wanna be hit.Don't call anyone a name unless you wanna be called a name.I've alway been consistant with my son and never give in.I'm the parent...Period.And yes I did spank him ..when I felt it was nessesary.Not your wishy washy freind that brought you into this world.My son is not my freind, he is my son....a big difference that evey parent today has forgoten...and it makes the kidds rotten and spoiled.

It also has a lot to do with how they are brought up and how Parents act if this is what they see at home then that is how they will be It is very sad and it makes me sad to but there is nothing we can do about it The Goverment is partly to blame now as they restricting Parents on the Disciplinary Side because of the ones that are beating their Kids

Personally, I feel children can mean from being abused, not happy about life, neglected at home, or just plain spoiled and the parents letting them grow up to get away with whatever and never discipline them... I've seen some of those very kids yell in the stores, to the top of their lungs telling their mom or dad "I hate you". The mother is so polite like, "Honey, please keep your tone down" and the kid gets louder. It's too much for me and sad to see, but it's all apart of being a parent and teaching their child respect. I don't even get mad or upset with the kid, when it boils down to it, it's the parent fault for not being a parent to their child reguardless of the situation....

I think the kids that are mistreated are shy, afraid to open up to people and other kids- I don't think they are mean-- not most of them. I think kids are mean for many reasons. Spoiled by their parents-- they get everything they want so when something isn't right for them they are mean. Also they think they are better than other kids so they pick on them. (terribly sad) Seeing other kids being mean. If you see other kids being mean all the time you are more apt to have that behavior rub off on you. I'm talking younger kids here. Maybe at daycare you see kids being mean- I personally know a very mean kid- He is in my family.. His parents are very caring parents-- but they lack the discipline- They raised him to be a leader. He is pretty smart so he is mean when adults aren't looking. Its quite sad. So kids can be mean for many reasons. I always tell me daughter "treat others the way you want to be treated" the golden rule.. and if someone is being mean to you all the time- stay away from them if you can.. If you can't be super nice back and hopefully that will rub off on them!

it's how they have been treated or brought up. if they are loved and cherished a home then they will do the same with others but if they were treated badly then expect them to be as bad or rude or even more

I think it has a lot to do with they are raised. Probably not all of them are mistreated at home. Probably a lot of them actually get anything they want. They never have to face any consequences so they think it is okay to be mean and do whatever they want. I guess in a way though, raising your child like that is mistreating them. Though not in the way we typically think of.

if some children are mean,that depends of education:))

I think their thinking is still one way. They do not realise what they are doing to the other person. Also, and I realised this for myself, kids subconsiously tease/make fun of others to make themselves feel better. I know when someone is successful or you see a guy (who may not be as good looking etc) with a beautiful woman, you're first reaction is to make fun of them. It's funny how all people, young or old do that, weather they realise it or not. For sure though kids will do it because they are just not mature in their thinking to realise they are hurting.

I konw. I think that the problem are the parents, they are to kind when they should be a little more stern. I my country (Romania) is a show at TV that is based on this. They have a professional governess that they bring into a house where is a problem child and the first 3 days are for observation and after that she tells the parents and the child(s) what they should do to have a more "good" child(s). And if the parents respects her advices the child changes into a better one. I think that parents should read more books how to rais there child. Thaks my opinion, maybe someone will say that it's a bad one, but I don't think the same. If you where a single child or the youngest one I don't know how to deal with child, to rais him to be good and that's why you should get more info.

Yes, I agree with you. Just today, my son was playing at the park, and a little girl pushed him down the stairs, thankfully he wasn't hurt..but I was angry. She looked at me like WHAT? I told her, she better not hurt him again, or I would go talk to her mother, (whom of course wasn't paying any attention) and she just sneered at me.. *sigh* I wanted to spank her, but that wouldn't have ended well. (: I'm not sure what causes a child to be so mean and aggressive.. Some children are the sweetest little things and then you meet thier sister and you wish you hadn't. So I don't know that it is neccesarily a parent thing, though I won't discount that theory completely.

I think most if not all negative behavior is learned. Very small children love everyone and everything and have this wonderful innocence about them. For instance, I have a 4 year old nephew. He was the sweetest happiest little boy who hugged everyone and was extremely well behaved. For the last year, his parents arent getting along, and have a lot of screaming matches in his presence. Now he doesnt behave at all, calls people stupid, and just generally tends to be a little "brat" I completely blame this change on his environment.

I have found in my own experience it can be from not being social enough, I have a very good friend that has two children that for the most part are very good kids but they dont have a lot of friends and and her son is turning in to a bully becuase he just doesnt know how to treat poeple. His mother (bless her heart) is oblivious and doesnt like to see the problem. I cant allow my son to play with hers any more becuase my son is scared of hers and he is picking up the atitude. His mom is a very loving mom, I think she just got so good at seeing past the bad in people she doesnt have her radar on her kids.

I think that so many kids are not taught empathy, and that is why they are so mean. Children don't really know the consequences of their actions. Parents need to tell their children that it is not OK to be mean to other kids for any reason.