Good morning my dear sociopathic friends.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on sociopaths having children?
Is it good or bad for the children and why?
I agree with Edvard here, any parents fundamentally unable to give a child something it needs to become a well rounded and happy person, is a bad one. We learn how the world works a great deal from our parents, if they're either fucked up in the head and/or unable to provide you with what you need materialistically/emotionally, your chances aren't great.
That being said, I'm sure there are great unempathical parents out there. But they'll be the ones that realized a sacrifice had to be made for their child(ren). As it goes the other way too, well rounded parents turning out to be terrible at raising a child, probably from just not accepting/understanding a child whom is different from the norm, thus unable to provide it with specific personal needs to grow up healthfully.
I would disagree with you Edvard, I think your misconception is in your belief that all of these personality disorders are so black and white, when in truth we are ALL neurotic to some degree in some form. No one is perfect as the saying goes. We are all broken, misguided, insecure, and incomplete at times. Such is the nature of our existance.
I believe those with a sociopathic disorder would actually have the ability to offer their offspring (if they so desired) a significantly more fulfilling and bountifull life than most. I see a parent that motivates their child to be better out of their own narcissistic desires to be a proud parent of a high achieving child. I see a parent that is an alpha that demands the best from their childs school staff. I see a parent that pushes their child to be more. I see a parent that teaches their children resiliance and independance. I see a parent that is violently protective of their clan.
I won't be so foolish as to believe that these traits could potentially carry negative conotations also, but I would not lump the sociopath into the catagory of someone incapable of reering a child, as our species can attest, they've been doing it for thousands of years.
I don't know. I think a narcissistic parent, especially, can truly mentally scar a child. I'm sure some of the posters will agree with me, since they experienced a narcissistic parent first hand.
A psychopathic parent by definition can't empathize with the child, is impulsive, is reckless and engages in risky behavior that can endanger both him/her and the child. He/she lacks the ability to plan and think through much into the future. In most cases, their abusive and controlling nature leads to divorce and broken homes. These are traits that put psychopathy on the list of disorders. It means, it's bad to have them. I can't see a single positive side of having a psychopath or a narc as a parent, to be honest. The positive parts you mention are easily found in normal parents too, they aren't trademarks of personality disorders.
Another place where we differ I suppose. Scars define our charector, I think I would be much weaker without mine. I don't think a parents job is to shelter their children from pain. I think their job is to teach them how to use that pain to make them more resilient. I guess I favor the spartan method for child reering.
I agree, but having a psychopath as a parent is perhaps a bit too much. There are things and types of abuse that a child isn't supposed to deal with. Life can deliver enough scars and blows as it is, parents are supposed to be there to help the child get over them, teach him how to deal with them. Sometimes even heal them. A family is supposed to be there for you, and support you. It's not supposed to be the thing that hurts you and hardens you against evil.