From Cain and Abel to Serial Killers Essay example

From Cain and Abel to Serial Killers Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Mark Allen Smith, Richard Chase, Ted Bundy-the list goes on and on. These five men alone have been responsible for at least ninety deaths, and many suspect that their victims may total twice that number. They are serial killers, the most feared and hated of criminals. What deep, hidden secret makes them lust for blood? What can possibly motivate a person to kill over and over again with no guilt, no remorse, no hint of human compassion? What makes a serial killer? Serial killings are not a new phenomenon. In 1798, for example, Micajah and Wiley Harpe traveled the backwoods of Kentucky and Tennessee in a violent, year-long killing spree that left at†¦show more content†¦in Lunde 84). Today, however, we dont expect killers to have fangs that drip human blood, and many realize that the boy-next-door may be doing more than woodworking in his basement. While there are no specific physical characteristics shared by all serial killers, they are almost always male and 92 percent are white. Most are between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five and often physically attractive. While they may hold a job, many switch employment frequently as they become easily frustrated when advancement does not come as quickly as expected. They tend to believe that they are entitled to whatever they desire but feel that they should have to exert no effort to attain their goals (Samenow 88,96). What could possibly turn attractive, ambitious human beings into cold-blooded monsters? One popular theory suggests that many murderers are the product of our violent society. Our culture tends to approve of violence and find it acceptable, even preferable, in many circumstances (Holmes and DeBurger 27): According to research done in 1970, one out of every four men and one out of every six women believed that it was appropriate for a husband to hit his wife under certain conditions (Holmes and DeBurger 33). This emphasis on violence is especially prevalent in television programs. Violence occurs in 80 percent of all prime-time shows, while cartoons,Show MoreRelatedThe Death Penalty Should Be Abolished Essay1630 Words   |  7 Pagesthat s an innocent life. More, it s biblically proven that even God forgives and humanely punishes his people and servants. Men in the bible are examples that demonstrate that everyone is human and everyone sins, even the godliest men like Moses and Cain that have committed murder. Even though God knows what they have done, he doesn t p unish them with death but in moral ways. Although there may be many arguments against the death penalty, there are stronger arguments for it as well. Death penaltyRead More Music Today: Entertainment or Influence to Murder? Essay1888 Words   |  8 Pagesblamed for the crimes of obvious psychotic adolescents. The music business, mainly â€Å"death† metal, has been said to be at fault for major tragedies, for example the Columbine High School Shootings. In fact, one media spokesperson even related the two killers to Marilyn Manson because they were apparently dressed like him. This constant distraction of pointing the blame on someone else just strays our focus on the real causes. Music can directly express the personality of many individuals. The way theRead MorePopular Culture and Violent Behavior Essay11795 Words   |  48 Pagesresearch into violent behaviour and the impact that popular culture can have on individuals and groups in society - mainly adolescents and young children - by looking at susceptibility, attraction, reactions and influences. Figures from the internet highlight the capability television can have to influence an individual: There are 7.5 violent acts per minute on television in the United States during Prime-Time,8.6 in Germany, 5.8 in Denmark, and violent acts per