03-26-2012, 10:48 PM
I think it depends on the family relations, in part.
If the husband or wife of a perpetrator is a decent person and it's proven they had no idea about their spouse's crime, they don't appear to be as ostracized and will likely be supported by family and friends, if not the general public. If it's a high profile crime, hell, they can even write a book and make some money after just a little time passes. Or, go on "Who the Bleep Did I Marry?". I also don't think children or siblings of perpetrators are generally ostracized altogether if they had no part or knowledge in the crimes, unless the crime was gang-related and/or the victim was known by the perpretrator and his/her family .
Parents have it the hardest. In general, I agree with much of what has been posted by others. We see a lot of crime committed by perpetrators who were raised by negligent, apathetic, or ciminal parents. Not all, but a lot. Human nature to first look at who raised someone that turned out so fucked up. It may not always be right, but it's natural. If the parents are good people and the criminal was just a bad seed without warning signs, tough break, but how often does that really happen? Usually there is denial or enabling rather than no warning signs, in my opinion. I'm sure there are exceptions too. But, parents bear some extended responsibility for what their children do, even as adults, in the eyes of society. They get credit when their children do good and blame when they do bad. I think there are support groups for families of perpetrators, arranged by the prison systems, not advertised.
I'm not sure that there is a problem that needs fixing here, in terms of greater support for perpetrator's families. If the family members show genuine remorse for what was done and don't try to excuse the criminal or profit from the crime, the ostracization is likely less pronounced and diminishes more quickly (or, they can move somewhere discreetly in the dead of night and start again). Just life. I feel much more for the victims' families, no matter what. I admit it.
If the husband or wife of a perpetrator is a decent person and it's proven they had no idea about their spouse's crime, they don't appear to be as ostracized and will likely be supported by family and friends, if not the general public. If it's a high profile crime, hell, they can even write a book and make some money after just a little time passes. Or, go on "Who the Bleep Did I Marry?". I also don't think children or siblings of perpetrators are generally ostracized altogether if they had no part or knowledge in the crimes, unless the crime was gang-related and/or the victim was known by the perpretrator and his/her family .
Parents have it the hardest. In general, I agree with much of what has been posted by others. We see a lot of crime committed by perpetrators who were raised by negligent, apathetic, or ciminal parents. Not all, but a lot. Human nature to first look at who raised someone that turned out so fucked up. It may not always be right, but it's natural. If the parents are good people and the criminal was just a bad seed without warning signs, tough break, but how often does that really happen? Usually there is denial or enabling rather than no warning signs, in my opinion. I'm sure there are exceptions too. But, parents bear some extended responsibility for what their children do, even as adults, in the eyes of society. They get credit when their children do good and blame when they do bad. I think there are support groups for families of perpetrators, arranged by the prison systems, not advertised.
I'm not sure that there is a problem that needs fixing here, in terms of greater support for perpetrator's families. If the family members show genuine remorse for what was done and don't try to excuse the criminal or profit from the crime, the ostracization is likely less pronounced and diminishes more quickly (or, they can move somewhere discreetly in the dead of night and start again). Just life. I feel much more for the victims' families, no matter what. I admit it.