To think DS's obsession with serial killers is concerning?

[oxfordyvonne]

I know this is a strange title but recently DS has been displaying some behaviours and interests that are a little weird. We're a family of avid readers and are always recommending new reads to each other, and DS is old enough now to read more sophisticated novels so I suggested Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry which is a book about Charles Manson and his crimes. Fascinating read if you ever get the chance. Anyway, he finished reading a week ago and told me how much he loved it and how fascinating it was to him.

Since then he's gone absolutely serial killer mad. Every day he'll talk endlessly about killers he's researched like Ed Gein and John Wayne Gacy, and more obscure ones such as Aileen Wuornos (who I didn't even know myself, had to research her). He'll tell me statistics, how many people they killed and the circumstances, which prison they're currently in and how long their sentences are. I understand all kids have their obsessions but this is far more morbid than playing with LEGO or The Sims. I know it's my fault too for recommending the novel, didn't think it would lead to this though. AIBU? Deary me. I need a glass of wine!

[pinkflowerbluesky]

Depends, if he is 4 then YANBU!

I think a lot of people like this sort of stuff but might be worth mentioning it's best kept behind closed doors.

[GoldPlatedBacon]

How old?

As a child my parents had an encyclopedia of true crime. I use to read it all the time from about 10. I turned out fine!

[scarednoob]

My friend was like this. She's now a criminal psychologist!

I expect he will get over it soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy the !

[SophieofShepherdsBush]

How old is he?

[scarednoob]

(Actually I think they call it forensic psychology... Her job is fascinating anyway!)

[lastqueenofscotland]

I was like this when I was in my teens... I'm now an estate agent so I guess turned out fairly evil

[kelper]

For my English Lit GCSE coursework I wrote about Jeffrey Dahmer...... I'm perfectly normal (I think anyway!)

[ABitSensible]

I'm guessing every kid who is obsessed by bugs or ballet has a concerned relative somewhere. As long as he doesnt actually admire them, he should turn out ok.

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

I was obsessed with Jack the Ripper for a while, and the history of executions. I'm not a serial killer

Depends how old he is I think.

[JessTitchener]

I'm like this and have been since I read my Dad's copy of '10 Rillington Place' when I was nine.
Depending on his age there are some fantastic true crime podcasts he'll enjoy, Generation why and true crime garage are pretty good.

It's not a sign of anything disturbing, honestly I'm perfectly normal despite what many people consider an 'odd' interest.

If he starts looking at 'gore' sites then you may have a problem.

[Arsenicinthesugarbowl]

How old is he? I was utterly obsessed as an older child/young teen with serial killers and used to buy a hideous crime magazine that detailed all the stories. I'm pretty sure I'm a reasonably well adjusted adult and no longer read half the stuff I used to!
I'd just be careful of what he could access on the web as reading about a crime is one thing but coming across crime scene photos or similar might be pretty horrifying for him.

[Andro]

The history, behaviours and psychology of serial offenders are fascinating; nature versus nurture, how they evolve (and devolve) and how skilled many of them are at profiling.

I read a set of books by John Douglas years ago, they were terrifying and absorbing in equal measure - but I learnt a lot about minimising personal risk and recognising red flags from reading them.

[JessTitchener]

I've often said that if I were to appear on Mastermind, my specialist subject would either be the Rutshire novels of Jilly Cooper or the life and times of Ted Bundy!

[LagunaBubbles]

I was the same, I'm a Psychiatric Nurse now and still fascinated by human behaviour, especially psychopathic.

[WhatALoadOfOldBollocks]

Isn't it normal to find weird human behaviour and taboos fascinating though? Think about all the films, dramas and books about murder; if people weren't interested they wouldn't be made. Are you worried because he's a child or that you think he's too interested, OP?

[Grilledaubergines]

Really don't worry. My sister was obsessed by Hindley, Brady, the Krays, Charles Manson growing up. She's a perfectly normal, successful adult.

I can't see the interest myself but I do 'get' the fascination with killers - trying to get into their minds and understand what drove them is fascinating because it's so alien to 'normal' people.

[CuppaSarah]

I've always been obsessed with plane crashes, not becuase I want to cause one, but so I'm better armed with knowledge against something that scares me. Could it be the same sort of thing? Uncovering the mysteries of scary stuff stops it being scary, instead it becomes fascinating and that's a very empowering feeling.

[LagunaBubbles]

There was a film about Aileen Wournos made called Monster. Oh and I was reading Agatha Christie books as a child to, probably a bit tame now!

[firesidechat]

I wouldn't worry just yet. I read a book about the pathologist Keith Simpson in my teens and I love a good true crime book, although they are always historical murders rather than say, Fred West. Recent crimes seem too close to the present day to be enjoyable.

Despite this weird fascination I have never committed a crime, let alone murder someone.

[MargaretCabbage]

I was always a very happy but morbid child and was fascinated by serial killers from around age 10, I used to raid my mum's true crime books. I wanted to be a forensic psychiatrist and was really interested till I was about 15.

I'm a very normal and nice person, still a bit morbid, but have outgrown my interest in murder and horror.

I wouldn't worry unless you have other concerns.

[oxfordyvonne]

To everyone asking, he has just turned 16!

I don't mind that he has this morbid fascination, it's definitely an interesting way of looking at the human psyche but yes one thing that concerns me is that he'll go onto the internet and see images of crime scenes which I know can be horrific and gory. He isn't displaying any admiration towards these people yet thank god!

I'll let him know about the podcasts Jess, I was going to suggest Serial to him as I absolutely LOVED it.

[AtSea1979]

I assume he's a teenager. Teenagers often like this type of stuff because, generally, teenagers lose the ability to empathise for a while so can view this stuff far more detached than adults.

[MyBreadIsEggy]

My mum could have written your OP about me when I was 14/15.
I watched all the serial killer documentaries I could find on TV and I would read all the books I could get my hands on - even now I still head straight for the True Crime section of Waterstones when I go in. I always was, and still am fascinated by serial killers. Not so much the crime in itself, but the reasons behind their crimes, and the million "why's" that will probably never be answered.
I don't think you have too much do worry about with your DS I've been interested in this stuff for the best part of a decade, and haven't had the urge to brutally murder anyone yet!

[TheWeeBabySeamus1]

I love to read/watch true crime stuff and have done since I was young (about 9 or 10 years old) and I haven't gone on a killing spree yet.

Seriously though, I wouldn't worry, and if you look at it another way it's great that he's actively reading and going to the effort of researching stuff.

[MrsJayy]

I was obsessed with horror jack the ripper and gangsters at 16 im quite mild mannered now a peaceful soul I had a bit of an obsession recently with women who snapped programmes too im quire morbid bur harmless muhaha I wouldnt worry